Mandatory evacuations ordered due to Woolsey Fire

(FOX 11/CNS) - A brush fire that broke out in Ventura County west of Chatsworth prompted mandatory evacuations on Thursday in the Los Angeles County community of Hidden Hills and residents of Calabasas and Agoura Hills were told to prepare to flee if officials give the word.

The Woolsey Fire broke out about 2:25 p.m. and by 8:30 p.m. had burned about 2,000 acres with zero percent containment. There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

The fire was burning toward Hidden Hills and because of the threat mandatory evacuations were issued north of the Ventura (101) Freeway from Valley Circle Boulevard to Lindero Canyon Road.

An evacuation center was established at Taft High School at 5461 Winnetka Ave. in Woodland Hills.

Animals can be taken to Pierce College at 6201 Winnetka Ave. in Woodland Hills.

Calabasas city officials advised residents not under mandatory evacuation orders to prepare to leave by gathering their IDs, medications, important documents, emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Los Angeles county and city crews were assisting in the firefight, which was taking place as a second, larger brush fire raged further west in Ventura County in the Santa Rosa Valley/Thousand Oaks area.