THE SOUTHLAND FIRESTORM: THE BATTLE GOES ON : Damage Report

A preliminary damage report, as supplied by city officials of Malibu and Topanga Canyon.

MALIBU

As it raced to the ocean, the Calabasas/Malibu fire devastated some areas while sparing others.

1. Malibu Knolls Area

* No significant structural damage was reported. Early reports that the Malibu Presbyterian Church burned were incorrect. Significant vegetation burned, but the structure was spared. Our Lady of Malibu Church, near the Presbyterian Church, survived.

2. Malibu Colony

* The site of many celebrity homes, the colony, escaped damage; lots of smoke, but apparently no structural loss.

3. Malibu Lagoon

* Some state parkland burned but was quickly extinguished.

4. Pepperdine University

* No confirmation of any fire on campus. Students were evacuated from dorms to the gym Tuesday night; about 250 chose to remain there overnight.

5. Civic Center Way Area

* Malibu City Hall is located here. City workers were evacuated to the Michael Landon Community Center, where operations were being carried out as of Wednesday afternoon. Eucalyptus trees near City Hall burned but not the structure.

6. Serra Retreat, Serra Road and Sweetwater Mesa Areas

* Reports indicated no structural damage in the Serra Retreat. Significant vegetation burned. Two homes in Sweetwater Mesa, above Serra Retreat on the canyon side, were destroyed.

7. Carbon Canyon, Carbon Mesa Road

* Five to six homes at the end of Carbon Mesa Road on the canyon side were reported destroyed. Major vegetation burned.

8. Pacific Coast Highway/Carbon Beach

* No damage to structures reported; hillside vegetation burned on ocean side.

9. La Costa Area

* Reports indicate no damage to properties fronting on Pacific Coast Highway. Rambla Vista Road and other interior streets suffered major structural losses. As of Wednesday morning, only two to three residences on Rambla Vista remained.

10. Las Flores Canyon Area

* Structures on both sides of the Malibu Sea Lion restaurant were destroyed. Reports that the restaurant burned were incorrect; it is safe. Residences were undamaged from the entrance of the canyon up to the office of the local newspaper, the Malibu Times. Residences beyond that office suffered major damage with about 80% to 90% of structures destroyed. Almost everything on the creek side of the canyon was destroyed. This area has a history of problems; it became a flood hazard during rains last year.

11. Las Flores Mesa, Sierks Way

* Major structural destruction reported. On Wednesday morning, only three houses remained on Las Flores Mesa.

12. Pacific Coast Highway From Las Flores Canyon to Big Rock Drive

* No significant damage reported.

13. Big Rock Area

* Approximately 25 homes were listed as lost in the fire as of 1 p.m. Wednesday.

TOPANGA CANYON

Some landmarks in the area had been destroyed as of late Wednesday afternoon, others spared:

14. Red Rock Canyon

* Two homes and a furniture-manufacturing business reportedly destroyed.

15. Topanga Skyline and Oak Drive Areas

* No homes lost.

16. Fernwood

The community was evacuated and was threatened late Wednesday afternoon.

17. Others (Not shown on map)

* Sprouts Farm--destroyed.

* Inn of the Seventh Ray--spared; flames had not reached that area.

* Joe’s Creekside Market--threatened, but reportedly spared.

Sources: Sarah Maurice, City of Malibu; Dale Robinette, Topanga Town Council

Researched by NONA YATES / Los Angeles Times