Malibu: The Canyon Fire: Day Two

HEADLINE UPDATE

Fire is burning across the northern edge of La Costa, where 225 houses burned in 1993. Structure protection there. No losses yet.

Fire now at 2400 acres. 10 percent containment.

Flames seen atop Saddle Peak, just south of the communications towers. Fire is moving east at low speed.

Destroyed: 5 houses, the church and the glass and mirror business.
Damaged: 9 houses, 5 businesses.

Kanan Dume Road is open, contrary to radio reports.

Voluntary evacuations now called for Sunset Mesa.

$1.2 million in firefighting costs so far.

One firefighter injured-heat exhaustion-yesterday.

Fire is burning up west side of Rambla Pacifico.

One garage (with a Prius in it) burned on the west side of Rambla Pacifico between Hume and Las Flores Canyon Road (Camp 8).

Fire has crossed Rambla Pacifico in several places, but is burning into the wind, very slowly in most cases.

County Fire Chief Michael Freeman says Malibu did not get more than its fair share of resources, despite anger from Santa Clarita residents that engines were shifted here that could have been kept in reserve there.

PCH is likely to be closed at least through tomorrow, making school openings unlikely.

The big worry for Monday night: winds will shift and blow from the northeast and east, possibly causing fire to spread west into Puerco and Latigo canyons.

City is promising to remove blown-over trees on Guernsey and other Malibu Park streets today.

Governor came to Malibu at 11 a.m. for a briefing and photo op.

—Hans Laetz