Topanga Fire wreaks havoc northwest of Los Angeles

The Topanga Fire, which burned northwest of Los Angeles, Calif., is now 100 percent contained, but only after it scorched more than 24,000 acres. Dry fuel, low humidity and 50-plus mph Santa Ana winds did not make containment efforts easy for multi-agency management teams from the Los Angeles County and City fire departments.

The fire started in the Chatsworth area and worked its way through the Santa Susana Mountains along the Los Angeles–Ventura county line. Palm trees made it difficult for firefighters to control the blaze, as embers fell from these trees onto rooftops. According to authorities, the fire destroyed three homes, one commercial building, seven outbuildings and nearly 40 vehicles. With more than 3,000 firefighters battling the blaze at one point, the fire cost more than $8.2 million to fight.