New wildfire erupts near Calabasas and Hidden Hills, evacuation orders partially lifted

A new wildfire has broken out in West Hills, California, near residences in the Calabasas and Hidden Hills areas.

The Kenneth Fire broke out near the west end of Victory Boulevard around 2:30 p.m. and had destroyed nearly 800 acres of brush as of 5 p.m., fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds.

Traffic backs up in Calabasas, California, as residents evacuate ahead of the Kenneth Fire on January 9, 2025.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Mandatory evacuation orders were initially issued for the districts surrounding Vanowen Street south to Burbank Boulevard and County Lane Road east to Valley Circle Boulevard, but they were downgraded to an evacuation warning shortly before 5:15 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

"The challenging terrain and persistent winds complicate suppression activities, necessitating heightened vigilance from residents and adherence to directives from local authorities," the incident commanders reported in a message.

Hidden Hills, a celebrity hotspot in recent years, is home to several Hollywood stars, including Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, and Lil Wayne.

Wildfires broke out in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday and spread to sections of Malibu and Santa Monica overnight. The Palisades Fire was 0 percent contained as of early Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Two more ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles region, the Eaton and Woodley fires, are likewise 0 percent contained. The Lidia fire is 40% contained, while the Hurst fire is 10% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Another fire, known as the Sunset Fire, broke out Wednesday night in the Hollywood Hills, threatening the renowned landmark the Hollywood Bowl, among other tourist attractions. By Thursday morning, firefighters had contained the fire, and all evacuation orders had been rescinded.