Nov 27, 2007 3:05 am US/Pacific
Firefighters Contain Malibu Blaze
Assistance Center Opens For Fire Victims
MALIBU (CBS) ―
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Despite firefighters' best efforts, 53 homes were destroyed in the fire.
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
The most destructive Malibu wildfire in 15 years was 100 percent contained Tuesday, and an assistance center was opened to help residents who lost their homes.
Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Ron Haralson said the fire had essentially been knocked down, although about 150 firefighters remained on the scene "mopping up" hot spots, including a small spot fire that broke out at 6:46 a.m.
Haralson said more personnel would be sent if high winds that are expected to begin late Tuesday night and last through Wednesday cause more flare-ups.
"This has definitely been one of the worst fires we've had here in the Malibu area," county fire Capt. Gil Sanchez said of the blaze. "This fire took so many homes so quickly due to the Santa Ana winds that blew in such a short period of time."
Sheriff's arson investigators have "collected substantial evidence" that the fire broke out in an area of Corral Canyon known as the "cave," a local hangout, sheriff's Sgt. Diane Hecht said.
The fire began at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, just north of Corral Canyon Road and Mesa Peak Mountain Way in Malibu, Hecht said.
The area that arson investigators are looking at is off an isolated dead-end mountain road that residents say is notorious for late-night parties that feature bonfires and dangerous activity.
Anyone with information was asked to call the Corral Fire Task Force at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station at (818) 878-1808 or (310) 456-6652.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited the burn area Sunday and pledged the state's help in getting affected residents "back on their feet as soon as possible."
Officials said the fire destroyed 53 homes, 35 outbuildings, 37 vehicles, one mobile home, and damaged 45 structures. Damages may reach nearly $100 million.
Investigators say the fire that forced the evacuation of as many as 14,000 residents was started by "human activity," but have not determined whether it was deliberately set.
Residents of Corral, Latigo and Escondido canyons were allowed to return to their fire-ravaged neighborhoods Sunday night. Checkpoints ensured that only residents -- and not looters -- drove up the twisting canyon roads.
The blaze came four weeks after downed power lines in Malibu Canyon caused another wind-whipped wildfire that scorched 4,900 acres.
State, county, city and federal officials will open a local assistance center Tuesday to assist Malibu area fire victims.
The center at Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, will be open through Dec. 7. Operating hours will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
"The Malibu center will serve anyone affected by the fire who may need recovery information," Mike Hall of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said.
At the Malibu LAC, residents can inquire about:
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FEMA rental assistance and emergency home repairs
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U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes
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additional state grants to help with rental assistance, emergency home repairs and other needs
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National Flood Insurance to guard against losses from mudslides where vegetation has burned
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crisis counseling information
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insurance matters
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Fire victims are encouraged to register with FEMA before they visit the center by calling a toll free-number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Online registering is also available at http://www.fema.gov
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The deadline to apply is Jan. 9.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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