Fires that burned nearly 19,000 acres finally under control.

UPDATED  2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16

By Jon Dell and Carol Rock

[view:node_ad=5]Almost exactly a year after the Buckweed, Ranch and Magic fires rushed through Santa Clarita, wind and weather conditions set the table for another firestorm outbreak earlier this week.

The Marek and Sesnon Fires, which burned 4,824 and 14, 125 acres
respectively in the San Fernando Valley, are nearly out, thanks to the
combined efforts Los Angeles County Fire, Los Angeles City Fire and
CalFire firefighters. While a Red Flag Warning is still in effect
through 10 p.m. Friday, the mop up on these fires continues and
residents have been allowed back into the fire areas.

A free fire expo "Living In the Fire Zone" will be held Saturday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at L.A. County Fire Station 124, 25870 Hemingway, Stevenson Ranch. The expo will feature important preparation information and presentations, displays of firefighting equipment and demonstrations.

Red Cross officials reported that 1,473 people registered with the four shelters established for fire victims. Any evacuee or resident of the fire area should register with the Red Cross. Information is available by calling 1-866-GET INFO.

A state of emergency was declared by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to facilitate the quick disbursement of state and federal financial resources. Additionally, Supervisors Mike Antonovich and Zev Yaroslavsky are asking County agencies and financial institutions to help property owners affected by the fires. To provide tax relief, the supervisors asked that the County Assessor develop concessions for property owners including extending deadlines for upcoming property tax payments. 

The Departments of Regional Planning and Public Works will establish one-stop permitting centers in areas impacted by the recent fires, and expedite the issuance of building permits, and the Housing Authority has been requested to issue emergency Section 8 Housing Vouchers for eligible residents in the Sky Terrace Mobile Home Park in Lopez Canyon who lost their homes in the Marek Fire.

The Board of Supervisors will also send a five-signature letter asking major lending institutions, banks and finance companies to re-schedule mortgage payments to provide relief for residents who have suffered fire-related damage. 

Here’s the latest updates on the multiple fires burning in and around Santa Clarita:

Sesnon Fire

Began around 10:30 a.m. Monday

The blaze, which is now 70 percent contained, burned 14,125 acres in Porter Ranch and Simi Valley. Los Angeles County Fire Investigators have determined that a downed
power line that fell  into a drainage ditch south of Palo Sola Truck
Road west of Linekin Canyon Road started the Sesnon Fire.

All evacuation orders have been lifted and all roads are open.

The fire destroyed 15 single family homes and damaged 6 others; 47 outbuildings were destroyed, as were 41 vehicles.

One fatality occurred Monday afternoon on the 118 freeway, after the smoke came down the canyon and smothered the roadway. The driver of a white SUV collided with a black sedan and a tow truck, resulting in the driver's death. 

The Red Cross established evacuation centers at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch and Canoga High School. Livestock was taken to the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Marek Fire

Began at 2:00 a.m. Sunday

The cause has not been determined.

The fire is 92 percent contained, with complete containment expected Thursday night. All evacuation orders have been lifted and all roads are open.

the Red Cross established evacuation centers at San Fernando and Sylmar High Schools; the Sylmar High center closed after being open just one night.

 92 percent contained as of 9:10 a.m. Thursday. Complete containment is expected Tonight.

A homeless man was killed when his makeshift cardboard and plywood structure was burned. One firefighter received a minor injury.

The fire destroyed 43 structures and 22 outbuildings. 3

Via Princessa Fire

Knocked down Monday afternoon.

This fire started off the southbound 14 freeway near Via Princessa at 10:00 a.m. Homes were threatened but fire crews were able to douse the fire, before it could reach any structures.

The southbound 14 freeway was closed for roughly 30 minutes but has since re-opened.

KHTS recommends that all residents use extreme caution when dealing with any potential fire hazards. Now is also a good time to review safety plans with your household and keep a change of clothes at the ready.

We will be updating this story with more information as these events continue throughout the day. Check this story often to stay up to date.

Also, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a State of

Emergency in

Los Angeles and

Ventura

counties due to the wildfires.

“As fires burn across

California , I want to commend all of the firefighters who are bravely battling these aggressive flames and the first responders who are helping their communities and fellow neighbors. Winds are causing fire conditions to change by the hour, which is why it is so important that residents in the areas surrounding these wildfires heed warnings from public safety officials to evacuate. It’s critical that everyone in the warning areas continue to be prepared—know what you’re going to take and be ready to move very quickly if the evacuation order comes in your area. The state is coordinating with federal and local officials to ensure that firefighters have the resources they need, but with such a serious situation on our hands, we need residents to take every precaution to remain safe during this dangerous and difficult time.”
 

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has activated the

State

Operations

Center at its

Sacramento headquarters. For more information, including evacuation centers and wildfire statistics, go to www.oes.ca.gov or www.calfire.ca.gov.