Wind-driven fire destroys homes on Malibu coast

From the Associated Press

7:05 PM PST, January 8, 2007

Malibu, Calif. — A wildfire fanned by Santa Ana winds destroyed eight seaside mansions and damaged five others as it spread over more than 10 acres in this celebrity enclave Monday, authorities said.

Flames boiled furiously out of the skeletons of million-dollar beach homes as palm trees bent in winds blowing at 21 mph.

More than 300 firefighters battled the blaze which began about 5 p.m. near West Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road, said Los Angeles County fire Inspector Ron Haralson.

Assistance was requested from the city of Los Angeles and neighboring Ventura County, said Inspector Sam Padilla. Two helicopters were on the scene and two more were summoned.

Residents were being evacuated on the west end of Malibu Canyon Road, said sheriff's Sgt. John Hocking

TV news helicopters broadcast scenes of a large area of flame blowing down seaside slopes toward shoreline homes, with lines of flashing lights from emergency vehicles that converged on the area. Winds appeared to be blowing the fire toward the ocean rather than up into steep, brushy coastal canyons.

The fire burned near what is known as the Malibu Colony, one of Malibu's original beachfront neighborhoods dating back to the 1930s. The densely built stretch of luxury homes has been a favorite of the movie world over the years.

Malibu has frequently been the scene of devastating fires. In 1993, hundreds of homes were lost and three people were killed by an 18,500-acre fire. A 1996 fire spread over 13,900 acres, injured 11 people and destroyed six homes.

"It's so windy out there, it's kind of scary," Roberto Cardenas, an employee at Coogies Beach Cafe on Malibu Road.

The fire was less than a mile from Pepperdine University but there was no immediate threat, said Molly Drobnick, the senior public relations specialist. "It's less than a mile away. There is quite a few flames. It's a pretty big fire."

"Red flag" fire danger warnings had been posted for much of Southern California due to the siege of gusty north and northeast winds and low humidities. Fire agencies typically deploy units in high-risk areas during those conditions.

Santa Ana winds blow when high pressure forms over the Great Basin and cold, dry air rushes out of the north or northeast toward the coast, reaching high speeds through canyons and passes.

Earlier, firefighters in San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles, fully contained a 200-acre blaze that began with spontaneous combustion in a manure pile at a fertilizer company and spread in brush near Chino State Park.