Woolsey fire doubles to 70,000 acres as winds die down

Nov. 10--The massive Woolsey fire has doubled to 70,000 acres, officials announced Saturday morning, as a lull in the erratic winds that drove the firestorm gives hope that firefighters can begin to halt its move towards the sea.

Firefighters who have spent several grueling days battling the blaze on multiple fronts in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in the midst of some of the toughest fire weather they have ever seen were bracing for another challenging day. There was no word when the thousands of residents forced to flee their homes would be able to return.

Crews on Saturday were planning to take advantage of lighter winds, focusing on setting up a perimeter around the edges of the blaze. Containment of the fire -- which refers to the percentage of the perimeter beyond which firefighters do not believe the flames will move -- still stands at zero percent.

Fire officials said they plan to particularly focus on the Eastern side of the fire, along Bell Canyon and the 101 Freeway, and the South end at Malibu Canyon.

Hundreds of firefighters have been assigned to the blaze, but state resources are stretched with a deadly fire also burning in Northern California. Crews from neighboring states are expected to lend a hand, including firefighters from Arizona who are expected to arrive on Saturday.

The weather reprieve is likely only temporary.

Another round of strong Santa Ana winds are expected on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service, giving firefighters a short window to make progress before the gusts that originally drove the fast-moving fire return. A red flag warning -- marking the dangerous combination of low humidity, high temperatures and gusty wind -- is scheduled to go into effect across Southern California on Saturday night.

"We know Mother Nature has given us a reprieve today, but we need everyone to remain vigilant," Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said.

The likelihood of stronger winds coming back, likely until Tuesday, has authorities reticent to provide a timeline for when evacuees can return or roadways re-open.

"Quite frankly, it's still not safe," Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Chief John Benedict said. "When we ask you to evacuate, please heed that warning."

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump lashed out against the state, threatening to withhold federal payments to California, blaming the "massive, deadly and costly forest fires" on poor "forest management" and threatening to withhold federal funds. The comments, released through the president's twitter account, drew heated reaction, including from Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, who tweeted "People are dying, property is being destroyed, and our firefighters are in harms way," and singer Katy Perry who tweeted, "This is an absolutely heartless response."

Two bodies were discovered on Friday within the fire's footprint in the Malibu area, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials. Investigators weren't initially able to get to the area due to the fire, but detectives were on scene by Saturday morning. It is not yet clear if the deaths are directly connected to the blaze.

Law enforcement in both Los Angeles and Ventura counties are keeping an eye out for potential looters, authorities said. Two people have already been arrested in Ventura County.

See fire map and evacuation centers here

The flames have burned out of control for two days, with zero containment, since breaking out near the former Rocketdyne site south of Simi Valley. It has prompted waves of evacuations, sending residents fleeing approaching flames from portions of Westlake Village, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Calabasas and Malibu.

A staggering 250,000 people from at least 75,000 homes were estimated to be displaced by Saturday morning.

At least 150 homes across Southern California have been torched, including Malibu mansions belonging to the rich and famous.

Snarled traffic and road closures, as well as heavy smoke, have hindered travel though portions of Southern California. The 101 freeway remained closed in both directions from Valley Circle to Reyes Abobe.

The fire burned onto part of the Pepperdine University campus in Malibu overnight, before the arrival of Los Angeles County fire strike teams and water dropping aircraft. No permanent structures were lost, as those on the campus were ordered to shelter-in-place. Video taken at the campus showed a vehicle and several bicycles that had been scorched by the fire.

The Hansen Dam and Pierce College, which had been accepting evacuated animals, were at full capacity by Saturday afternoon, according to Los Angeles County Animal Care officials. The Antelope Valley Fairgrounds was still sheltering large animals.

Law enforcement officials are asking people to stay out of evacuated neighborhoods and vowed to arrest and prosecute anyone caught looting.

In Bell Canyon, where flames tore through the gated community on Thursday and Friday, crews focused Saturday on knocking down hot spots, while residents awaited word on the condition of their homes.

Los Angeles City Firefighter Charlie Taggart, who along with other members of his crew worked 30 hours straight battling the flames in the canyon, said the sheer size of the fire left their equipment spread thin.

"The wind was whipping, the fire line was pretty intense," Taggart said. "Unfortunately we lost some homes."

Taggart recalled at one point seeing four homes ignited in flames at once.

"Trying to fight that with three or four engines is impossible," he said. "When the houses were going up, the wind was howling at 30 to 50 miles per hour, it was almost knocking my helmet off. Fire was jumping house to house."

Within the Bell Canyon neighborhood itself, more than a dozen homes were burned to the ground, with only stonework and brick remaining. At least one car was completely destroyed, its hubcaps melted down to the pavement. Nearby gas lines shot off flames.

Other homes escaped the blaze with little damage, with some residents staying behind to risk their lives to protect their property.

Tyler Lachman, 28, said he used a garden house, shovel and fire extinguisher to battle the flames. At one point, Lachman said, a chicken coop on his property caught on fire, forcing him to quickly extinguish it before his home could ignite.

"If I had let it go it would have burned my house down," Lachman said.

Adrienne Janic, 44, said firefighters were at one point using her home as a makeshift command post due to the view it provides higher up in the canyon. She opted to stay overnight with her husband, son and two dogs, but grew worried after the firefighters left the home and her neighbors residence became engulfed in flames.

"It basically came up and around my house," Janic said of the fire. "There were flames running up toward my door. For a split second I thought "I should have left."

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