Forward progress of the Kenneth fire in the West Hills area of Los Angeles and Ventura County was stopped overnight at 1,000 acres as fire crews achieved 35% containment, authorities said Friday morning, Jan. 10.
All evacuation orders and warnings within Los Angeles were lifted by Thursday evening, officials said.
A person of interest was detained for questioning as a possible arson suspect, but was arrested on a felony probation violation and not related to the fire, Los Angeles Police Assistant Chief Dominic Choi said.
“Detectives interviewed the suspect and after the interview and additional investigative steps, there was not enough probable cause to arrest the person on suspicion of arson,” Choi said, adding the investigation was ongoing.
Community members in Woodland Hills detained the person before police arrived after they saw him attempting to light a fire in the area just after 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Choi said.
The Kenneth fire broke out about 3:30 p.m. near the 101 Freeway and Valley Circle Boulevard and headed south toward Hidden Hills, fire officials said Thursday evening. By 5:30 p.m., the fire was fully within the jurisdiction of the Ventura County Fire Department.
No structures were impacted by the fire, officials said.