Energy

A Homeless Camp Sparked The Fire That Ravaged LA’s Wealthiest Zip Code

REUTERS/Gene Blevins

Daily Caller News Foundation logo
Michael Bastasch DCNF Managing Editor
Font Size:

An illegal cooking fire at a homeless camp started the blaze that engulfed more than 400 acres in Bel Air and the surrounding area, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

LAFD investigators said the Skirball Fire started at a homeless camp just north of Bel Air, which is ranked as Los Angeles’ wealthiest zip code. The blaze engulfed 422 acres and destroyed six structures, damaging 12 more since it began about six days ago.

The Skirball fire sparked evacuations last week, but firefighters were able to keep the blaze on the east side of the 405 Freeway, NBC Los Angeles reported. Evacuation orders were lifted on Sunday. Officials said the fire was 85 percent contained, and firefighters were still on the scene to completely stamp out the blaze.

The Skirball fire is one of several raging across Southern California. The Thomas fire in Ventura County is the largest among them, engulfing 234,200 acres. Officials say that fire is only 20 percent contained.

Homeless camps are a growing problem in California cities. Oakland has seen at least half a dozen fires stemming from homeless camps in the last year, according to The Mercury News.

Follow Michael on Facebook and Twitter

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.