People are filing lawsuits due to the losses and expenses they incurred due to the Kenneth Fire. The Kenneth Fire destroyed 1,052 acres across Los Angeles and Ventura counties in California, mainly in the West Hills area. Many people near this blaze had to evacuate, incurring expenses and lost time from work.
People who experienced financial, physical, or emotional harms related to the Kenneth Fire may be able to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. People who are weighing their options should reach out to an experienced attorney. An attorney can help them examine possible avenues for compensation.
Kenneth Fire Lawsuit Updates – January 2025
January 12, 2025: Kenneth Fire 100% Contained.
The Kenneth Fire has been completely contained. However, the fire is still burning. First responders are working to extinguish the blaze. To date, it has burned more than 1,000 acres of land.
January 11, 2025: CalFire’s reports the last update on the Kenneth Fire
At 5:40 pm, CalFire’s final update for the Kenneth Fire was reported. The Ventura County Fire Department and the City of Los Angeles Fire Department have successfully contained 90 percent of the fire with ground crews and aerial resources.
January 11, 2025: The Kenneth fire remains at a consistent size, and containment continues to increase
Less than 48 hours after the Kenneth fire was initially reported, the fire has been contained to 80 percent. It is staying steady at 1,052 acres, and no more evacuation orders or warnings have been placed.
January 10, 2025: Kenneth fire grows in size while the Los Angeles City Fire Department and Ventura County Fire Department contain flames
The two fire departments, Los Angeles and Ventura, are working tirelessly to add and improve containment lines for this devastating fire. As of 5:35 pm, CalFire reported the fire has grown to 1,052 acres but is now 50 percent contained. Firefighters continue to monitor the fire and maintain its perimeter.
January 10, 2025: The Kenneth Fire continues to burn 1,000 acres in West Hills
CalFire’s latest report for the Kenneth fire was released at 7:47 a.m. on January 10, 2025. The fire has grown to 1,000 acres, but Los Angeles and Ventura firefighters have been tirelessly working to control the fire, getting it to 35 percent contained. As of 8 p.m. on January 9th, all evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted.
January 9, 2025: Evacuation orders lifted
While the Kenneth fire remains 0 percent contained, evacuation orders have been lifted as of 7:07 p.m. Evacuation warnings remain only for Vanowen south to Burbank Blvd and County Lane Road east to E Valley Circle Blvd. CalFire recommends staying on top of rapidly changing evacuation orders by viewing the LA City Evacuation Map.
January 9, 2025: Evacuation Orders are still in effect, and Evacuation Warnings have been issued for the Kenneth fire.
As of 5:01 pm, all previous evacuation order zones remain in effect, and additional evacuation warnings have been issued. Evacuation warnings in Los Angeles cover zones AGO-C303, AGO-C304, AGO-C306, AGO-C308, AGO-309, CAL-C404, and CAL-C405. Ventura County has initiated evacuation warnings in Zone 1 and Zone 2.
January 9, 2025: The Kenneth fire is rapidly spreading
The size of the Kenneth fire is growing, and now at 960 acres with 0 percent containment. At approximately 6 p.m., the California Governor announced that 900 additional firefighters were sent to control the blaze. In the announcement over X, he stated, “First responders are rapidly responding to the Kenneth Fire, transporting water from Pepperdine University’s Recycled Water Irrigation Reservoir via helicopter to firefighters on the ground in Calabasas.”
January 9, 2025: Evacuation alerts were mistakenly sent out across Los Angeles County for the Kenneth Fire
Around 4 p.m., LA County’s Emergency Operations Center meant to send out an alert only for residents near the Kenneth Fire, but instead, it reached thousands of additional individuals. After a follow-up message was sent to correct the mistake, telling people to disregard the message, the faulty message continued to be randomly sent, eventually warning Los Angeles County residents up to 20 miles away from the fire.
At a press conference, Kevin McGowan, the director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, asked residents to verify if there is an evacuation order on lacounty.gov/emergency or to dial 211.
January 9, 2025: A Man Was Taken into Custody by Police on Suspicion of Arson
Almost an hour after CalFire initially reported the fire, a call came to police regarding a man attempting to light a fire with a blowtorch on the 21700 block of Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills. The suspect was soon apprehended after locals made a citizen’s arrest by cornering the man and binding his wrists with rope and zip ties until police could arrive.
January 9, 2025: Strong Winds Cause the Fire to Spread
At 3:49 p.m., CalFire reported that the Kenneth Fire spread rapidly due to high winds from Santa Ana. Due to the nearby communities, evacuation orders were issued in Los Angeles County for zones WTH-U031, CAL-C401, CAL-C402, CAL-C403, CSB-U024, HID-C501, HID-C502, and MTV-U025. Evacuation warnings stayed in place for Ventura County Zone 1. Los Angeles and Ventura firefighters’ ground and aerial crews were deployed for containment efforts.
January 9, 2025: A Fire Was Reported in the West Hills Area, Victory Boulevard, at 3:37 pm
On January 9, 2025, at 3:37 p.m., a wildfire was reported in West Hills, California, near Victory Boulevard and west of Gilmore Street. The California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection released an incident report showing the fire was 50 acres and 0 percent contained. An evacuation order was immediately placed from Vanowen south to Burbank Boulevard and from County Lane Road east to E Valley Circle Boulevard.
About the Kenneth Fire:
About the Kenneth Wildfire in Los Angeles County
The Kenneth Fire and Its Impact on the Local Community
The Cause of the Kenneth Wildfire
SoCal Edison and LADWP: Their Role in the Lawsuit
Who Qualifies to File a Kenneth Fire Lawsuit?
How to File a Kenneth Fire Lawsuit
Our Firm Is Accepting Kenneth Wildfire Cases for Homeowners, Renters, and Businesses
About the Kenneth Wildfire in Los Angeles County
The Kenneth Fire started in the afternoon of January 9, 2025, near Victory Boulevard and west of Gilmore Street in West Hills, California. The fire was first reported as 50 acres and grew up to 1,052 acres within 36 hours. Evacuation orders were immediately put in place for nearby residents. On January 9th, California Governor Gavin Newsom reported that 400 firefighters would stay working overnight to contain the fire. High winds from Santa Ana contributed to the struggle to control the two-day fire. A citizen’s arrest was made within an hour of the fire due to claims of a blow torch being used; however, no definite connections were established to the fire, and the cause of the wildfire is still under investigation.
Map of the Kenneth Wildfire
The Kenneth Fire and Its Impact on the Local Community
The Kenneth Fire broke out in the West Hills area, affecting 24,807 residents. Thousands were ordered to evacuate in an order that lasted approximately 4 hours. The fire started in Los Angeles County but crawled to border Ventura County, resulting in the Los Angeles City Fire Department and the Ventura County Fire Department responding to the scene.
Acreage Burned From the Kenneth Fire
The Kenneth wildfire was initially reported at 50 acres, but strong winds and dry terrain stroked the fire for hours. By the end of the first day, the fire had burned 960 acres. Firefighters worked day and night, and when they managed to contain it, 1,052 acres had been burned. Businesses, homes, and livelihoods were in danger while evacuation orders were implemented.
Local Evacuations Due to the Kenneth Wildfire
The Kenneth wildfire caused immediate evacuation orders in the Calabasas and Hidden Hills areas. Evacuation warnings in Ventura County soon followed after the fire crept to the border of Ventura County. Evacuation orders were placed for zones:
- WTH-U031
- CAL-C401
- CAL-C402
- CAL-C403
- CSB-U024
- HID-C501
- HID-C502
- MTV-U025
Evacuation warnings were issued for Ingomar St./Saticoy St. south to Burbank Blvd and Valley Circle Blvd east to Woodlake Ave in Los Angeles County. An evacuation warning was issued in Ventura County, the Oak Park area near Kanan Road and Agoura Road, and east of Kanan Road to Deer Hill.
Injuries and Death Count Reported from the Kenneth Fire
The Kenneth fire was safely contained, and there were no reports of structural damage. Firefighters effectively managed the situation while ensuring their safety, as there have been no reported injuries to either firefighters or residents.
The Cause of the Kenneth Wildfire
The cause of the Kenneth wildfire is still under investigation. However, we know that the fire occurred in an area surrounded by nature trails and brush, and the chaparral area was the primary fuel source as the fire spread. A suspect was taken into custody for arson shortly after the fire was reported, but there have been no known connections to the start of the Kenneth fire.
SoCal Edison and LADWP: Their Role in the Lawsuit
While investigations for the cause of the Kenneth Fire are still underway, Los Angeles and Ventura residents are filing lawsuits against Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for negligence. Allegations against the electrical company and water authority company include:
- Inadequately managing greenery, such as shrubs near power lines
- Power lines crossing
- Water supply failures
Evidence is building, such as photos and videos of the incident, as more and more California residents become displaced and look for routes to receive compensation.
Who Qualifies to File a Kenneth Fire Lawsuit?
Residents of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties affected by the Kenneth fire may qualify for a lawsuit against LADWP, SoCal Edison, insurance companies, or others. Examples of eligibility include:
- You had to pay for expenses while evacuating
- You lost income
- Your business lost income
Furthermore, if you were physically or psychologically harmed by the fire or lost property either as a renter or homeowner, you may qualify. An experienced lawyer will take time to understand your significant situation and provide you with the next steps for pursuing a claim.
How to File a Kenneth Fire Lawsuit
Consulting with an attorney is the first step in navigating a lawsuit. A consultation with a knowledgeable legal team is free and informative. An attorney will determine if you qualify and what jurisdiction you can file in. Next, as much evidence as possible must be collected. This includes all receipts of expenses paid during evacuation, medical documents, and photos or videos of the extent of property damage. Your lawyer will ensure your evidence is sufficient and help submit a legal complaint to the court. An experienced lawyer should keep you updated through the process and will never settle without your consent.
Our Firm Is Accepting Kenneth Wildfire Cases for Homeowners, Renters, and Businesses
Our in-house intake team is ready to help guide you with the first few steps of filing a claim or lawsuit. We understand this can be a life-altering event and will do everything possible to ensure this is a smooth process. Our team offers:
- Around-the-clock availability
- Assistance specific to your case
- No out-of-pocket fees and a free consultation
King Law Firm understands wildfires can be devastating, and we hope to provide a safe environment as we support you through this time. Our dedicated team will understand your needs through this process and guide you through the steps.
Contact a Kenneth Wildfire Lawyer Today
You may be compensated if you were physically or emotionally harmed by the Kenneth fire in the Hidden Hills area. Please contact our experienced team at King Law Firm by filling out an inquiry on our website or call our office at 585-287-8188 for a free consultation.