LOS ANGELES, CA – Firefighters are battling a rapidly growing wildfire that erupted Thursday afternoon in the Calabasas and Hidden Hills area, northwest of Los Angeles. The Kenneth Fire, ignited in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, quickly expanded due to dry conditions and gusty Santa Ana winds.
The fire was initially reported around 2:30 p.m. and had grown to 50 acres by 3:45 p.m. Within an hour, it exploded to 791 acres, Los Angeles Fire Department officials confirmed. The blaze threatened upscale residential neighborhoods, with flames encroaching on properties featuring pools and tennis courts, as shown in aerial footage.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for areas north of the 101 Freeway, from Colony Road to Orrville Avenue, and extending north to Burbank Road. Emergency responders deployed ground crews and aerial resources, including helicopters dropping fire retardant and fixed-wing aircraft releasing water to protect homes and infrastructure. It remains unclear if any structures were lost.
By 5 p.m., fire crews had gained some control over the blaze, aided by an aggressive aerial attack. However, challenging terrain and persistent winds continued to complicate containment efforts, officials said.
An emergency alert sent countywide at 4 p.m. caused confusion, as it was intended only for residents near the Kenneth Fire. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn attributed the widespread alert to a technical error, and a corrected message was issued shortly after.
This fire emerges as firefighters are already stretched thin battling two other major blazes in the region. The 17,000-acre Palisades Fire has devastated neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades and Malibu, while the Eaton Fire has caused widespread destruction in Altadena and Pasadena. Both fires have destroyed thousands of structures and forced mass evacuations.
Residents near the Kenneth Fire are urged to follow evacuation orders and stay updated through official channels as crews continue their efforts to contain the flames amid challenging conditions.
