Fire is a close call for some residents

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers HELP—Los Angeles County firefighter pours water on the blaze as it inches closer to the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station in Calabasas. Arson is suspected in Tuesday's brush fire that scorched 120 acres of land between Las Virgenes and Liberty Canyon Roads in Calabasas.

Edward Nordskog, a detective with the Los Angeles County Fire Department's arson unit, said the fire, which was reported at 12:05 p.m. on Aug.26, was "set by people."

"Incendiary is what we're calling it," Nordskog said. "We're still in the middle of the investigation so we don't have any suspects, (but) we've identified some people of interest."

Dry brush provided ample fuel for the fire, but by 4:30 p.m. the blaze was 100 percent contained.

Although nerves ran high, no homes or structures were lost, Battalion Chief Scott Smith said.

Initially, firemen were telling some homeowners in the area to evacuate since the flames were spreading so rapidly. One firefighter estimated that it took just half-an-hour for 10 acres of land to be consumed.

But by 3 p.m., Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff Station called residents in the Liberty Canyon area with the news that the fire was 60 percent contained and residents didn't need to evacuate.

To play it safe, Liberty Canyon resident Rachel Brenner returned home from her job as a Park Ranger at Malibu Creek State Park and began gathering valuable personal items.

"I grabbed my deed, work papers and family photos," Brenner said.

The Liberty Canyon on- and off-ramps at the 101 Freeway were closed by the California Highway Patrol as firefighters went to work. When smoke reduced visibility, drivers were restricted to one lane on the eastbound freeway, slowing traffic to a crawl.

The Los Angeles County and Ventura County fire departments worked together to quell the blaze and prevent any homes from burning. Reports say that between 225 and 250 firefighters and five waterdropping helicopters were involved in the effort. One of the helicopters that doused water on the flames came from the Los Angeles City Fire Department.

Dan Stepenosky, assistant superintendent of personnel for the Las Virgenes Unified School District, lives in the El Encanto neighborhood of Calabasas near Juan de Anza Park.

"My wife and kids were away," Stepenosky said.

Firefighters blocked the street, but allowed Stepenosky access to his home. He wasn't required to evacuate. Residents on nearby Deer Creek Road, however, were told to leave.

"I'd like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to the firefighters, the sheriffs department and any other brave professionals who helped to protect our family and our home," said Leslie Haukoos, whose home on Davids Road in Agoura Hills was threatened by the flames. "We are so grateful."