Fire Related Street Closures and Motorist Alerts

October 14, 2008

There are currently two major wild fire incidents in the Los Angeles Region.  The Sesnon Fire now consists of the general area bordered by Rinaldi Avenue on the north, the 101 Freeway on the south, Tampa Avenue on the east and beyond the County Line on the west.  

The Marek Fire area now consists of the general area north of the 210 Foothill Freeway and between the Golden State Freeway and Sunland Boulevard.  There are mandatory evacuations in the Marek Fire area, including the areas adjacent to the Angeles National Forest.       

GENERAL STREET CLOSURES – MAREK FIRE

All on and off ramps on the 210 Foothill Freeway between the Golden State Freeway to Sunland Boulevard are closed.  This means that the first available exit for vehicles transitioning from the Golden State Freeway to the eastbound 210 Foothill Freeway will be Sunland Boulevard.  Vehicles entering the westbound 210 Foothill Freeway from Sunland Boulevard will be permitted to transition to the northbound and southbound Golden State Freeway.  Foothill Boulevard can be used to access the streets normally accessed by closed off ramps.  Travel north of Foothill Boulevard will be restricted.

GENERAL STREET CLOSURES – SESNON FIRE

Motorists should expect most northbound streets from Rinaldi Street to be restricted to emergency vehicles throughout the day.  Southbound lanes will be available for evacuation.  Rinaldi, Devonshire, and Lassen Streets are available as east-west detours around the impacted area, except that Rinaldi Street will be closed from Reseda Boulevard to Zelzah Avenue.

In the event that mandatory evacuations become necessary, traffic on Valley Circle Boulevard will be restricted to southbound only.  If necessary, the evacuation route for residents west of Valley Circle Boulevard will southbound on Valley Circle Boulevard and eastbound on major streets including Ingomar Street, Saticoy Street, Vanowen Street, Victory Boulevard, and Burbank Boulevard.
 
TRAVEL ADVISORIES

Motorists should expect delays in and around the fire areas.  Smoke may limit visibility and distract other drivers, causing hazardous driving conditions.  As always, yield to emergency vehicles.  

When possible the following areas should be avoided.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard northbound from Chatsworth Avenue
DeSoto Avenue northbound at Rinaldi Street
Corbin Avenue northbound at Porter Ranch Drive
Mason Avenue northbound at Celtic Street
Mason Avenue northbound at Corbin Street

Ronald Reagan118 Freeway between Reseda Boulevard and Stearns Avenue (Simi Valley).

CHANGING CONDITIONS    

Motorists and residents should remained tuned to mainstream media outlets for up to the minute traffic alerts and evacuation information.  Residents in need of specific evacuation, sheltering or animal kenneling information should call 1-800-439-2909.