Support for LAist comes from
We Explain L.A.
Stay Connected
Livestream event happening now: AirTalk LIVE: COVID Doctors Retrospective Larry Mantle and the AirTalk COVID doctors reflect on 3 years of living through a pandemic.

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Sesnon Fire (Porter Ranch) Updates Page

Support your source for local news!
Today, put a dollar value on the trustworthy reporting you rely on all year long. The local news you read here every day is crafted for you, but right now, we need your help to keep it going. In these uncertain times, your support is even more important. We can't hold those in power accountable and uplift voices from the community without your partnership. Thank you.

Via LA County Fire | View Larger Map

Last Updated at 5:26 p.m., 10/14

Sources: LA County Fire

Support for LAist comes from

CURRENT SIZE: 13,285 acres

CURRENT CONDITION/CONTAINMENT: Active Wildfire. The fire is currently burning in Simi Valley

CAUSE OF FIRE: Under Active Investigation

STRUCTURES DAMAGED/THREATENED: 19 'structures' damaged (and possibly destroyed). Not yet confirmed how many are residential. Damage Assessment Teams will be deployed early Tuesday morning.

CIVILIAN INJURIES: Not Yet Determined

CIVILIAN DEATH: 1 Motorist on 118 Freeway deceased. Undetermined if related to this fire. There was another civilian death reported at the distant Marek fire which is unrelated to this blaze.

HEALTH ADVISORIES: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, the South Bay-Long Beach area, and the Santa Monica-Malibu area.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District offers real-time air quality readings. Limiting or avoiding exposure to smoke from wildfires is always suggested.

EVACUATION: Formal Evacuation Orders for Browns Canyon, Twin Lakes, Box Canyon, Woolsey Canyon, Dayton Canyon, Lake Manor, Bell Canyon, and City of Los Angeles neighborhoods north of Bell Canyon and west of Valley Circle Boulevard, Tapo Canyon
north of Lost Canyon, Lilac Lane, Santa Susanna Pass Road from the Ventura County line to Box Canyon Road (see map). Nearby residents are encouraged to prepare for evacuation, monitor news radio and obey the verbal orders of uniformed public safety personnel in their neighborhood.

EVACUATION SHELTER: American Red Cross operated shelters are presently open at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 19700 Rinaldi Street in Porter Ranch, and Canoga Park High School at 6850 Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Canoga Park.
ANIMAL SHELTER: Pierce College is no longer able to accept animals and livestock. Contact L.A. Animal Services: (888)452-7381

ROAD CLOSURES/TRAFFIC ADVISORIES: See latest update

Support for LAist comes from

SCHOOL CLOSURES: The Los Angeles Unified School District states the following schools will be closed due to wildfire:
- Broadous Elementary
- Castlebay Lane Elementary
- Community High School
- Community Middle/High School Charter
- Fenton Charter
- Harding Elementary
- Hubbard Elementary
- Lake View Terrace Charter
- Pacoima Elementary Charter
- Triumph Academy Charter

Sent from the Mayor's Office at 9:48 p.m., October 13 2008

SESNON FIRE UPDATE

TRAFFIC INFORMATION, EVACUATION CENTERS, SHELTERS, ANIMAL SHELTERS AND
SCHOOL INFORMATION

LOS ANGELES - 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 Avenue

City 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.


Press Release Sent out from Mayor Villaraigosa's Office
4:27 p.m., October 13, 2008

SESNON FIRE UPDATE - TRAFFIC INFORMATION, EVACUATION CENTERS, SHELTERS,
ANIMAL SHELTERS, SCHOOL INFORMATION

LOS ANGELES - 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
- The 118 Freeway in both directions between Reseda Boulevard and
Yosemite Avenue

City 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. In addition, the 118 eastbound has been
shut down from the I-5 and the 210. 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

Sylmar High School - THIS IS AN OVERNIGHT SHELTER
13050 Borden Ave.
Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 833-3700

Shepherd of the Hills Church - THIS IS AN OVERNIGHT SHELTER
19700 Rinaldi Street
Porter Ranch, CA 91326

San Fernando High School - THIS IS AN OVERNIGHT SHELTER
11133 O'Melveny Avenue
San Fernando, CA 91340
(818) 898-7600

Animal Shelters

Pierce College - Equestrian Center
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

Most Read