Raging bushfire threatens homes

Press, 17 November 1977, Page 9

Raging bushfire threatens homes

NZPA Los Angeles : A raging fire fanned by hot, dry desert winds has) rapidly burned more than 400 ha of dense brush near Malibu north-west of Los . Angeles and is racing towards expensive homes along the Pacific Ocean, fire officials have said. “It’s definitely out of coni trol. This is a serious 'situation. We may not be jable to hold it until it 'reaches the ocean.” said Mr 'Ray Bartlett, a spokesman ' f or the Los Angeles County iFire Department. ) It was the third brush fire lin the drought-parched Santa I Monica mountains in two i day's. ) About 200 homes scattered n rural canyons above the beaches and three county de'ention camps were evac- ' lated. said a county Sheriff’s Department spokesman. 1 “Winds were gusting to 40 miles an hour, pushing the J 'ire in a south-west directon. “About 300 acres an hour vere going up in smoke. The fire yvas four to five niles from the ocean on r uesday evening,” Mr Barett said. Firefighters and quipment from both counts were tackling the blaze in heavy brush.