A wildfire was reported in the mountains above Santa Barbara County's Santa Ynez Valley over the weekend and is expected to threaten the area near Neverland Ranch, the former estate of the late pop superstar Michael Jackson.
According to Cal Fire, the blaze has swelled to over 16,000 acres (64.75 square kilometers) since it was reported Friday afternoon (July 5) near Zaca Lake and Saint Lucia Road.
The fire has quickly spread in the past 48 hours and remains just 8% contained by over 600 firefighters, 10 helicopters, and numerous other water-dropping aircraft.
What makes matters worse is that southern California faces a heat wave and dry conditions.
No injuries were reported as of Sunday afternoon (July 7).
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Michael Jackson's Home at Risk
CBS reported that the wildfire is expected to pass through Neverland, which Jackson owned from 1988 to his death in 2009.
Firefighters said evacuation warnings have also been issued for Figueroa Mountain Road to Chamberlain Ranch and Zaca Lake Road, Foxen Canyon Road, and other areas south of the Sisquoc River.
The origin of the fire remains unclear now that it has become the second-largest reported in the state of California since the beginning of 2024.
KTLA 5 added that businessman Ron Burkle bought Neverland for $22 million in 2020.
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