Those dangerous Santa Ana winds are a major concern to firefighters who are still battling the Franklin Fire in Malibu. The high winds are also forcing the closure of several miles of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, where people could be left without power if conditions worsen.
The return of Red Flag conditions has all eyes on parts of Los Angeles County that did not see a fire last week, including Topanga in the Santa Monica Mountains — although the Franklin Fire got close.
“I’m concerned about a new fire as well as embers from the old fire in Malibu coming this way. I’m pretty weary from all of this. This has been going on for a number of years where it’s four or five times a year rather than once every five years,” said Denis Hannigan, who has lived in the Topanga community for 40 years. “There’s a great increase in wind weather and fire weather.”
South Topanga Canyon Boulevard is now closed until at least 6 p.m. Wednesday from Mulholland Drive to Pacific Coast Highway, and at Old Topanga Canyon Road and Mulholland.