Firefighters battle wildfires in Malibu and Calabasas

Firefighters were responding to two brush fires Thursday in the mountains west of Los Angeles: a large wildfire in Calabasas and a blaze in Malibu that was threatening some homes.

The Topanga fire was reported near Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway. The California Highway Patrol said Topanga Canyon Boulevard was closed from Pacific Coast Highway to Grandview Drive until further notice.

A stretch of Pacific Coast Highway was closed during the afternoon and evening, but all lanes were reopened by 9 p.m., according to the CHP.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said that about 20 to 25 acres had burned and that firefighters were moving to protect homes in the Malibu area.

Several miles away in Calabasas, firefighters were trying to control a fire that quickly swelled to 40 to 50 acres.

Located near Malibu Canyon and Mulholland Drive in Calabasas, the so-called Stokes fire was reported about 3 p.m. and grew in the remote area with moderate winds.

By 4:30 p.m., more than 220 firefighters had stopped the forward progress of the flames and the fire was 30% contained, according to the L.A. County Fire Department.

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UPDATES:

10:30 p.m.: This article was updated with the reopening of PCH and additional details on the growth of the fire.

5:55 p.m.: This article was updated with details on the closure of PCH.

4:30 p.m.: This article was updated with details on a fire in Calabasas.

This article was originally published at 3:50 p.m.