Fires erupt in Southern California
Flames light up the early morning darkness on Las Virgenes Canyon Road.
(Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters on Las Virgenes Canyon Road this morning. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
High winds sent palm trees leaning into the smoky sky on Las Virgenes Canyon Road.
(Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters use water-dropping helicopters to battle the Canyon Fire near Pepperdine University in Malibu. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Flames tear through a structure. (Genaro Molina/ Los Angeles Times)
A burning deck and structure on the beach in Malibu. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)
Beachfront homes and decks burn at houses on Malibu Road. ( Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of Malibu from the northeast as brushfires rage. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Malibu resident Jim Palmer covers his face from the wind-driven smoke from the Canyon Fire in Malibu Canyon this morning.(Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Just above the sand on the 25000 block of Malibu Road, an L.A . County firefighter battles to save two homes.(Al Seib/ Los Angeles Times)
Malibu Colony resident Takuji Masuda yells to a friend to come help water down a neighbor's beachfront deck.(Brian Vander Brug/ Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters spray the Malibu Grooming Company to save it from approaching flames Sunday afternoon. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
A Jaguar burns on Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu Canyon Road.
(Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)
Luke Schroder, 14, turns back to look at the smoke-filled sky in Malibu.
(Richard Hartog/Los Angeles Times)
A chandelier sways in the wind at Castle Kashan in the hills of Malibu. The castle was destroyed by the blaze. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Numerous works of art were lost in the fire at Castle Kashan, which was listed at $17 million earlier this year. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Malibu landmark Castle Kashan is fully engulfed in flames.(Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Malibu resident April Arrandt races away from a vehicle fire on Pacific Coast Highway. It was not her car.(Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
The dining room of a beachfront home on Malibu Road burns. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)
A structure burns on Malibu Canyon Road.(Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters tackle spot fires on the hillsides adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
The towering cross at the entrance of Pepperdine University is surrounded by smoke and fire.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
A sign at the Malibu Presbyterian Church still stands as firefighters try to save structures.
(Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters look for places to attack the blaze as structures burn on Las Virgenes Canyon Road.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Flames engulf Malibu Presbyterian Church. Important items were safely removed from the hilltop structure, including boxes of documents and computers.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
A firefighter climbs onto a structure as Malibu Presbyterian Church burns.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
An Airstream camper is dwarfed by approaching flames on Carbon Canyon property in Malibu.
(Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)
Danica Perez stands in the smoke and wind as firefighters try to keep the blaze from crossing PCH. Perez's home is on the ocean side of the highway. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Geronimo Ruiz sprays fire retardant on the house of Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive of movie company DreamWorks SKG. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) October 21, 2007
As the fire makes its way down a hillside toward a structure on PCH, firefighters scramble to reposition themselves. Their efforts paid off: They were able to knock down the flames and save the structure. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) October 21, 2007
A flurry of fire retardant sprayed from a helicopter heads toward a structure on Pacific Coast Highway. Firefighters were able to save the building.(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) October 21, 2007
Residents of Camp Plenty Road in Canyon Country water down a home as flames sweep through the area. The blaze also gutted cars.(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)October 21, 2007
Spectators watch from Irvine Center Drive and Sand Canyon Avenue as the fire, driven by high winds, sweeps through the hills above Irvine. The fire had burned 3,800 acres in the Limestone Canyon Regional Park area.(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)October 21, 2007
Orange County Fire Authority firefighter Bernie Brawner walks the fire line near Portola Parkway and Sand Canyon Avenue in Irvine, where a fast-moving blaze swept out of the hills and moved along the 241 toll road near the 133 Freeway.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
October 21, 2007
Redlands Fire Capt. Rob Sandberg fastens a hose clamp as crews try to save burning homes on Juniper Lane in Green Valley Lake. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The front entrance to the Universal Studios theme park is seen as smoke burns from a fire on a movie production backlot of Universal Studios in the Universal city section of Los Angeles on Sunday, June 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Smoke from a fire burning on a movie production backlot of Universal Studios is seen in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
In this image from video, firefighters battle a blaze at Universal Studios Sunday morning, June 1, 2008 in Universal City, Calif. The fire broke out just before dawn on a sound stage, according to officials. (AP Photo/APTN)
Firefighters work to contain a three-alarm fire at Universal Studios in Los Angeles June 1, 2008. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES)
A TV cameraman, a photographer and onlookers watch as a fire rages at a back lot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, 12 miles (20 km) from downtown Los Angeles, June 1, 2008. A portion of what is believed to be a prop warehouse is shown on the left. Hundreds of firefighters are battling a large blaze that broke out on Sunday on a back lot at Universal Studios, site of movie and television production, a spokesman for a neighboring fire department said. REUTERS/Fred Prouser (UNITED STATES)
Firefighters work to contain a three-alarm fire at Universal Studios in Los Angeles June 1, 2008. Hundreds of firefighters are battling a large blaze that broke out on Sunday on a back lot at Universal Studios, site of movie and television production, a spokesman for a neighboring fire department said. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES)
The King Kong attraction on the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot tour is shown in this undated publicity photo. A fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California June 1, 2008, 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles. It is believed that the King Kong attraction was destroyed. REUTERS/Universal Studios Hollywood/Handout
Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City firefighters battle a fire at Universal City Studios in Universal City, Calif., north of Los Angeles Sunday, June 1, 2008. The fire at Universal Studios on destroyed a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and a video vault containing more than 40,000 videos and reels. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Smoke rises from a fire behind the main gate at Universal Studios in Los Angeles Sunday, June 1, 2008. Roughly 40,000 to 50,000 videos and reels were damaged in the video vault, but there are duplicates stored in a different location, said said NBC Universal President and Chief Operating Officer Ron Meyer. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Smoke billows from Universal City Studios in Universal City, Calif., north of Los Angeles Sunday June 1, 2008. A large fire tore through a back lot at Universal Studios early Sunday, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and a video vault containing more than 40,000 videos and reels. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Smoke rises from a fire in the early hours at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, Sunday June 1, 2008. A large fire tore through a back lot at Universal Studios early Sunday, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and thousands of videos and reels in a vault. (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)
Smoke pours out of a sound stage as Los Angeles City firefighters attempt to save the historic studio set while a fire continues to burn at Universal City Studios in Universal City, Calif., north of Los Angeles Sunday, June 1, 2008. The fire at Universal Studios destroyed a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and a video vault containing more than 40,000 videos and reels. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
A studio set is engulfed in fire as fire fighters work to extinguish the burning set in the early hours at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, Sunday June 1, 2008. A large fire tore through a back lot at Universal Studios early Sunday, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and thousands of videos and reels in a vault. (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)
Smoke rises from a fire at Universal Studios Sunday, June 1, 2008 in Los Angeles after a fire ripped through a lot, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' a King Kong exhibit and a streetscape seen frequently in movies and TV shows. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
A studio set is engulfed in fire as a fire fighter works to extinguish the burning set in the early hours at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, Sunday June 1, 2008. A large fire tore through a back lot at Universal Studios early Sunday, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and thousands of videos and reels in a vault. (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)
A studio set is engulfed in fire as a fire fighter works to extinguish the burning set in the early hours at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, Sunday June 1, 2008. A large fire tore through a back lot at Universal Studios early Sunday, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and thousands of videos and reels in a vault. (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)
A studio set is engulfed in fire as a fire fighter works to extinguish the burning set in the early hours at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, Sunday June 1, 2008. A large fire tore through a back lot at Universal Studios early Sunday, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and thousands of videos and reels in a vault. (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)
Firefighters work to contain a three-alarm fire at Universal Studios in Los Angeles June 1, 2008. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES)
A huge plume of smoke and flames rises up from the Universal Studios lot in Studio City, CA in the early morning hours of June 1. The fire destroyed several key sets. (Photo and caption submitted by Rick Mogil)
A raging fire blazes through the back lot of Universal Studios in Studio City, CA on June 1. The fire destroyed several key sets. (Photo and caption submitted by Patrick Gannon)
A huge plume of smoke rises from the Universal Studios lot as a fire raged through Studio City, CA on June 1. (Photo and caption submitted by Patrick Gannon)
Smoke rises over burning structures at Universal Studios, in Universal City, California. Firefighters on Sunday battled a blaze at Hollywood's famed Universal Studios that ravaged some of the legendary film studio's most iconic stage sets and tourist attractions. (AFP/Gabriel Bouys)
Firefighters battle a massive fire on the backlot of Universal Studios in Universal City, California. Firefighters on Sunday battled a blaze at Hollywood's famed Universal Studios that ravaged some of the legendary film studio's most iconic stage sets and tourist attractions. (AFP/Getty Images/David Mcnew)
Black smoke billows and flames lick skyward from a huge fire on the backlot of Universal Studios on June 1in Universal City, California. Firefighters on Sunday battled a gigantic blaze at Hollywood's famed Universal Studios 12 hours after it erupted, ravaging the legendary film studio's most famous stage sets and tourist attractions. (AFP/Getty Images/David Mcnew)
A fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. A portion of the set used in Steven Spielberg's film 'War of the Worlds' including a a jet airplane is shown foreground. The blue screen (L) is used in filming in front of an artificial lake. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)
Smoke climbs hundreds of feet into the air as a fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. A portion of the set used in Steven Spielberg's film 'War of the Worlds' including a a jet airplane is shown foreground. The blue screen (L) is used in filming in front of an artificial lake. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)
A fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. A portion of the set used in Steven Spielberg's film 'War of the Worlds' including a a jet airplane used in the film is shown foreground. The blue screen (L) is used in filming in front of an artificial lake. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)
Black smoke billows from a massive fire on the backlot of Universal Studios on June 1, 2008 in Universal City, California. Investigators Monday were combing through the ruins of famous sets at Hollywood's Universal Studios gutted by a huge blaze in a search for clues as to how the inferno started. (AFP/Getty Images/David Mcnew)
A helicopter flies over burning structures at Universal Studios, in Universal City, California, on June 01, 2008. Investigators Monday were combing through the ruins of famous sets at Hollywood's Universal Studios gutted by a huge blaze in a search for clues as to how the inferno started. (AFP/File/Gabriel Bouys)
Black smoke billows and flames lick skyward from a huge fire on the backlot of Universal Studios on June 1in Universal City, California. Firefighters on Sunday battled a gigantic blaze at Hollywood's famed Universal Studios 12 hours after it erupted, ravaging the legendary film studio's most famous stage sets and tourist attractions. (AFP/Getty Images/David Mcnew)
A fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)
A fire truck and firefighters are seen at Gate 2 of Universal Studios as smoke rises (background) from a fire that rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)
Smoke rises as a fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. (Andrew Gombert/Pool/Reuters)
