SoCal Fires Hit Too Close To Home

• The mood has certainly matched the air quality across the Greater Los Angeles area for the past four days — gray and gloomy — as the Hill Fire and Woolsey Fire continue to threaten the region. Many of our industry friends were forced to evacuate on Friday evening, and by Sunday morning the far more dangerous Woolsey Fire had exploded to more than 83,000 acres, propelled by Santa Ana winds gusting in excess of 50 mph in some areas. At press time, the Woolsey Fire had taken at least two lives, destroyed nearly 200 structures and was only 10 percent contained, as the winds increased again, and were expected to remain gusty through Tuesday.

Tragically, one of those structures lost to the Woolsey Fire is the longtime Malibu home of our friend Joel Denver, President of All Access Music Group. Our thoughts are with Joel and his fiancée Kym, who safely evacuated with their pets and have been staying with family members. Thankfully, Joel tells us that the nearby All Access offices are intact, and until the roads are opened and services have been restored, all staffers will be working remotely, taking care of business and regularly updating AllAccess.com. “We won’t lose a beat!” Joel tells RAMP. “Many thanks to everyone who has reached out with words of kindness and support.”

• Late last night we received word that longtime promo pro Michael Plen had also lost his Malibu home. A GoFundMe campaign is already up and running to help Michael, his wife Cat and son Everette get back on their feet. [Fire map courtesy of ABC7/Los Angeles]