A traffic crash is believed to have caused a three-alarm brush fire that apparently sparked a second, smaller fire in Malibu Friday afternoon, closing a busy canyon road.
The initial fire was reported at 3:35 p.m. along Kanan Dume Road about two miles north of Pacific Coast Highway, according to county sheriff and fire officials. Embers from that blaze apparently ignited another fire about one- third of a mile away, amid 10- to 15 mph winds with occasionally stronger gusts.
About 2.9 acres were burned in the first fire and 1.5 acres in the second blaze, with part of a vineyard getting scorched. Firefighters declared both fires 100 percent contained just before 6 p.m.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Keith Mora said a vehicle that crashed into utility pole was the likely cause of the first fire, but that has not been confirmed.
Southbound Kanan Dume Road was closed at Mulholland Drive while northbound lanes were closed at PCH and a SigAlert was issued by the California Highway Patrol.
The road was reopened about 8:15 p.m., although one northbound lane will remain closed until morning, according to the CHP.
Around 225 firefighters and four helicopters were deployed, Mora said.
