Thanks to courageous residents in Woodland Hills, police have detained a suspect in connection with the Kenneth Fire, confirmed as arson. LAPD Officer Charles Dinsel stated, “About 20–30 minutes later, a suspect was detained… by citizens.” Residents intervened after spotting the man allegedly trying to start a fire with what appeared to be a “propane tank or flamethrower.” Renata Grinshpun, a witness, recounted, “Neighbors rallied together, cornered him, and performed a citizen’s arrest.”
The Kenneth Fire began on January 9, affecting Los Angeles and Ventura counties. CAL FIRE reports it has burned 960 acres and is fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, complicating containment efforts. Evacuation warnings have been issued for areas between Vanowen South and Burbank Blvd., urging residents to act swiftly.
Firefighters are deploying ground and aerial resources to contain the fire, which remains at 0% containment. CAL FIRE warns, “The challenging terrain and persistent winds complicate suppression activities.”
The Kenneth Fire is part of a series of wildfires across California, including the Palisades Fire (19,978 acres, 6% contained) and Eaton Fire (13,690 acres, 0% contained). CAL FIRE highlights that, despite a higher number of fires, the total acreage burned this year remains below the five-year average. However, officials caution that elevated fire risks persist due to above-normal temperatures and strong winds.
