Skirball Fire reaches 50 percent containment as residents head home

Updated 6:07 p.m.

Evacuations | School closures | Ask us your questions!

The Skirball Fire in the Bel Air area held at 475 acres burned in a late Friday update, but jumped from 30 to 50 percent containment, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Some evacuations remain in effect, with officials saying that they will be re-evaluated on Saturday.

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Six structures have been destroyed, and 12 have been damaged, according to LAFD. Two firefighters  received minor injuries.

The Skirball Fire broke out Wednesday along the 405 Freeway at Mulholland Drive shortly before 5 a.m., threatening homes and prompting evacuation orders for thousands of people in a 3.2 mile area across the freeway from the Getty Center.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said that for the first time, the fire department used drones to assess property and to use infrared technology to detect hotspots for firefighters to target. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcav1UGlWQ6/

Many residents who had been evacuated were allowed to return to their homes Thursday night. 

https://twitter.com/k8hutton/status/939193075884204032

EVACUATIONS

City officials created an interactive map with evacuation, shelter, and school closure information for the Skirball and Creek fires.

These streets are still under mandatory evacuation orders:

• Linda Flora Drive north of the 1000 block remains closed
• Linda Flora Drive south of 1894 Linda Flora Dr. remains closed
• Moraga Drive north of the security gate entrance remains closed

This street is open to residents only:

• Casiano Road south of Stephen S. Wise Drive (Stephen S. Wise Temple has NO access restriction)

These streets have been opened with no access restriction:

• Bellagio and Casiano roads from Moraga Drive northbound

KPCC created a map of the fire's perimeter, using information from fire officials:  

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1mTkCDHJqBbKGBObBeDz6M_JvDeIeioN3

SCHOOL CLOSURES

Los Angeles Unified School District is keeping a list of area schools that have been closed in response to the wildfires. 

The district pointed to a list of recreation centers throughout the city that will have extended hours and activities for students. 

https://twitter.com/LASchools/status/938974195467218944

The district will also provide meals for students who need them on Friday and Saturday, between 11:30 and 3 p.m. 

Those meals will be available at the following schools, according to LAUSD:

• Byrd Middle School (8501 Arleta Ave., Sun Valley)
• Reseda High School (18230 Kittridge St., Reseda)
• Palms Middle School (10860 Woodbine St., Los Angeles)

UCLA has returned to normal operations, according to a press release.

https://twitter.com/UCLAnewsroom/status/939183335175200768

ASK US YOUR QUESTIONS

KPCC journalists are covering the fires burning across Southern California and are working hard to answer community members' questions. Let us know what you need to know below.

 
 
This story has been updated.