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The two wildfires burning in and around Los Angeles have destroyed at least three dozen mobile homes in Lopez Canyon and 19 structures, many of them homes, in the area of Browns Canyon, Porter Ranch and Twin Lakes. (The LAFD seemed to be uncharacteristically cagey to the media about the numbers of both acreage and homes.) Winds have calmed down a bit but are predicted to increase through the night. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who was at the Dodgers game in the McCourts' field box for at least a few innings, had a news briefing scheduled for 10 pm.
Photo: Jonathan Alcorn
Here's the rundown from Villaraigosa's office:
Below is an overview of information regarding road closures and traffic resulting from the Sesnon Fire in Porter Ranch, as well as locations for evacuation centers, shelters and animal shelters throughout the area.Automated, pre-recorded information line on evacuations, road closures and shelters: (800) 439-2909.
Traffic Information
According to the LA Department of Transportation and the California Highway Patrol, the following streets and freeways are closed until
further notice:
- Topanga Canyon Boulevard northbound at Chatsworth Avenue
- De Soto Avenue northbound at Rinaldi Street
- Corbin Avenue northbound at Porter Ranch Drive
- Mason Avenue northbound at Celtic Street
- Mason Avenue northbound at Corbin Avenue
- Corbin Avenue eastbound at Mason Avenue
- The 118 Freeway in both directions between Reseda Boulevard and Yosemite AvenueCity officials are recommending that commuters and residents use Rinaldi Street and Devonshire Street as east-west alternates to the 118
Freeway.
In the wake of the Marek fire, the 210 Freeway remains closed between the I-5 and Glendale freeways, and the 118 eastbound has been
shut down from the I-5 and the 210.
In addition, the following streets are closed to northbound traffic just north of Foothill Boulevard: Hubbard; Maclay; Arroyo; Paxton; Van Nuys; Terra Bella; Vaughn; Filmore. Southbound lanes on each of these thoroughfares are open as evacuation routes.
The LA Department of Transportation recommends using Foothill Boulevard westbound and eastbound, and Osborn southbound as a detour route.
For more details on road closures and alternate routes, please check http://updatela.com/.
MTA - Public Transportation Service
There is no Metro bus service into the Porter Ranch area until further notice.
The Metrolink Ventura line northbound service will end at the Van Nuys station.
Metro will provide bus bridge service to Metrolink customers to Ventura County.
Antelope Valley Transit and Santa Clarita Transit ticket and pass holders can ride the Metrolink Antelope Valley line for free.
Commuters should expect delays.
Up-to-date transportation information is available from Metro at its toll-free number 1-800-COMMUTE.
Los Angeles School District Information
For information, call the LAUSD information line at 213-241-4500, tune in to the District’s television station, KLCS-TV, or click on
www.lausd.net.
Evacuations
As of 3:00 PM, Monday, October 13, 2008, the following neighborhoods have been ordered to evacuate: Box Canyon; Bell Canyon; Woolsey Canyon; Lake Manor; Dayton Canyon; Brown Canyon; and Twin Lakes.
A voluntary evacuation order has been issued for the area of the City west of Valley Circle Boulevard and north of Bell Canyon. In addition,
horse evacuations are recommended for households in Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills and Bell Canyon.
Shelters
The following locations are serving as overnight shelters:
Sylmar High School
13050 Borden Ave.
Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 833-3700
Shepherd of the Hills Church
19700 Rinaldi Street
Porter Ranch, CA 91326
San Fernando High School
11133 O’Melveny Avenue
San Fernando, CA 91340
(818) 898-7600
Canoga Park High School
6580 Topanga Canyon Boulevard
Canoga Park, CA 91303
Animal Shelters
Large Animals/Horses
Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 West Harbor Boulevard
Ventura, CA 91301
Pierce College - Equestrian Center - HAS REACHED CAPACITY
6201 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91371
(818) 719-6401
Enter campus on El Rancho Road off of De Soto Avenue just south of
Victory Boulevard.
Hansen Dam Equestrian Center - HAS REACHED CAPACITY
11127 Orcas Road
Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
(818) 896-6514
Small Animals
Shepherd of the Hills Church
19700 Rinaldi Street
Porter Ranch, CA 91326
West Valley Animal Shelter
20655 Plummer Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Mission Animal Shelter
15321 Brand Avenue
Mission Hills, CA 91345
Red Flag Restrictions
A red flag condition has been issued for the City of Los Angeles and will be in effect until Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at 8:00 PM or until further notice.