Tips for insurance claims for homeowners during California wildfires
As wildfires infuriate Southern California, here’s what residents need to know about filing insurance claims.
LOS ANGELES – It grew to over 1,000 acres in just a few hours in the northwest of Los Angeles on August 7th, causing evacuation amid a ferocious, dangerous heat wave in Southern California.
The flame, known as the Canyon Fire, was first reported before 1:30pm near the Pill, California, and was home to the Los Angeles-Ventura County Line. Initial reports showed that the fire burned about 30 acres.
In an evening update, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention reported that the fire had burned 1,500 acres. There was no containment as of 11:30pm local time.
“The fire is burning east at a rapid diffusion rate of light to medium fuel,” Cal Fire said in the update.
Multiple helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, including six air tankers, dropped water and were delayed by the flames throughout the afternoon. Authorities also requested additional firefighters, including hand crews, engines and bulldozers, who are spokesmen for the Ventura County Fire Department, told the Ventura County Star, part of the USA Today Network.
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District said winds were pushing smoke primarily into Los Angeles County on Thursday afternoon. The district added that the wind is expected to move overnight to Ventura County.
Canyon fire evacuation order, warning
As the attack grew, evacuation orders and warnings were covered on both sides of the county line.
According to the Ventura County, evacuation orders are in place for the Lake Lake Recreation Area, which reaches the Los Angeles County Line, north of Highway 126. In Los Angeles County, the evacuation order covers the western half of the Castatic and Valverde mountainous regions north of Highway 126, while the evacuation warning extends from the eastern side to Interstate 5.
Dowd said the structure of the evacuation area and the estimated number of ranches were not immediately available. According to Cal Fire, the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Los Angeles County Superintendent Katherine Berger, who represents the county’s affected areas, urged residents to comply with evacuation orders.
“If the first responder tells you to leave, don’t hesitate to go,” Burger warned on Facebook. “Eton Fire has shown us how quickly devastation can hit. It’s never worth putting the safety of your life, your loved ones and pets, or those who work to protect you.”
