About 1,000 Los Angeles residents remained under evacuation orders Monday as firefighters protected canyon houses by a smoky wildfire that churned through vegetation which hasn't burned in half a century.
The reason for the fire in steep, inaccessible terrain near Topanga State Park was deemed"suspicious" and is under investigation, the Los Angeles Fire Department stated.
Arson investigators detained and released a single individual on Saturday and another person was contested on Sunday, '' the division stated.
No buildings had been damaged and no injuries were reported at the wildfire that broke out late Friday from the Santa Monica Mountains. It grew rapidly Saturday afternoon -- compelling approximately 1,000 Topanga Canyon region residents to flee their homes.
Topanga Canyon is a remote, wooded community with some ranch houses bordering Malibu, roughly 20 kilometers west of downtown Los Angeles.
Another eruption of this fire Sunday afternoon induced authorities to warn several dozen residents to be ready to evacuate.
The fire's flames raced along ridges, sending a massive plume of smoke and raining ash across surrounding neighborhoods.
By Sunday evening, the fire had charred just over two square miles of trees and brush. There was no containment.
Police were expected to provide an update regarding the fire and the firefighting efforts at a news conference late Monday morning.
