TIME OF ALARM: 1:47 PM, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2005
LAFD INCIDENT# 0542
INCIDENT NAME: Topanga
LOCATION: Initial Dispatch-W/Bound 118 Fwy x Topanga Canyon Bl.
BRUSH TYPE: Medium to Heavy Brush.
CONDITIONS ON ARRIVAL:Initial report – was 3 acres of light to moderate brush with 20-30 mph winds, gusts up to 50 mph.
CURRENT SIZE: 24,175 ACRES.
CURRENT CONDITION: 85% Containment
EXPECTED CONTAINMENT TIME: Monday, October 3, 2005 at 1800 Hours
TOTAL FIRE SUPPRESSION COST TO DATE: $8,381,167
CAUSE OF FIRE: Under Investigation.
STRUCTURES BURNED: 3 Single Family Dwellings destroyed; 1 Residence damaged; 3 Commercial Buildings destroyed; 2 Commercial Buildings damaged; Also damaged or destroyed by fire: 7 Out Buildings; 4 RV’s; 1 Travel Trailer; 34 Passenger Vehicles; 1 Motorcycle.
REPORTED INJURIES: Thirteen Firefighters Total.
- On Wednesday, one Los Angeles City Fire Captain was struck by a 40 lb. boulder. He was knocked unconscious for 5 minutes. Following an evaluation at Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, including a CAT scan, he has been released and is now resting at home.
- On Thursday, one Los Angeles City Fire Engineer sustained an ankle injury. He was transported to a local emergency room, evaluated and placed off duty. He is now recuperating at home.
- On Friday, there were reports of non-life threatening injuries to four Fire Service personnel from allied agencies.
- On Saturday, one additional non-life threatening injury was reported to a Firefighter from an allied agency.
- On Sunday, non-life threatening injuries were reported to an additional six Firefighters from allied agencies.
Specific information regarding non-LAFD injuries must come directly from Incident Command Staff.
COMMAND: “Unified Command” for the Topanga Incident consists of Los Angeles City Fire (“LAFD”), Los Angeles County Fire, Ventura County Fire, California Department of Forestry, and the National Park Service.
COMMAND POST LOCATION: Conejo Creek Park South, 1379 East Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.
AIR OPERATIONS: 6 Helicopters.
CURRENT FIREFIGHTING PERSONNEL (ALL AGENCIES): 1664 Personnel
UNSUAL CONDITIONS: Inaccessible Steep Terrain.
EVACUATIONS: All Evacuations Have Been Lifted.
EVACUATION SHELTERS: All Evacuation Shelters Have Been Closed.
ROAD CLOSURES: All Roads Are Open With Unrestricted Access.
LAFD SUMMARY:
- On Wednesday, September 28, 2005 LAFD resources skirted the border between The City of Los Angeles, LA County, and Ventura County in the Western edge of the San Fernando Valley. The primary responsibility for Los Angeles Fire Department resources was to provide for structure protection along the east flank of the fire. Firefighters operated in the Box Canyon, Bell Canyon, Woolsey Canyon, Hidden Hills, Lake Manor, and West Hills areas.
- On Thursday, September 29, 2005 LAFD Firefighters were confronted with a shift in the prevailing winds between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Firefighters were challenged by wind driven flame fronts and flying embers. Firefighters took a defensive stance to protect structures and were successful at defending those structures.
- On Friday, September 30, 2005 LAFD Firefighters will continue to provide structure protection groups along the east flank of the fire. Firefighters will be providing handlines to support camp crews in the establishment of scratch line around the fire
- On Saturday, October 01, 2005 LAFD resources were reduced to 4 LAFD Strike Teams and support staff. Some personnel were reassigned to the Castaway Fire in Burbank at the request of the Incident Commander.
- Late Sunday, October 02, 2005 LAFD resources were reduced to 1 LAFD Strike Team and support staff.
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department