Malibu fires totally out of control

October 21, 2007

Malibu - Fires are raging out of control in many areas of Malibu and one large one is threatening Pepperdine University.

Fires are raging out of control in many arears of Malibu and is threatening Pepperdine University.

Fire department spokesman Sam Padilla said three brush fires in the Malibu area had consumed more than 100 acres. He said the residential area Malibu Crest and vacation area Sierra Retreat were evacuated Sunday. About 250 firefighters were working to combat the three separate brush fires in Malibu, Padilla said.

Malibu Crest is an upscale neighborhood on the coast.

Meanwhile, a wind-driven fast-spreading wildfire has burned more than 500 acres of woodland in the Townsend Peak area of California's Angeles National Forest, in the northern section of Los Angeles County, according to U.S. Forest Service spokesman Stanton Florea.

The fire, which started just before 10 p.m. PT Saturday, threatens a condor habitat and has destroyed one outbuilding, Florea said.

The U.S. Forest Service, the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection have sent 200 people to fight the fire, he said.

No evacuations have been ordered yet, he said.

Hot weather and Santa Ana winds marked the height of traditional wildfire season this weekend, after one of the driest years on record, AP reported.