Evacuated residents can now freely enter the northern part of the Topanga area from Topanga Canyon Boulevard at Cezanne Avenue, after authorities removed the security checkpoint that had been set up there Friday morning.
The day before, when evacuation orders in the neighborhood were lifted after more than a week, a line of cars stretched a half-mile long north to Mulholland Drive, a police officer said. California Highway Patrol.
He estimated that 2,000 cars entered the checkpoint during his shift, with the CHP and National Guard carefully checking proof of residency before allowing people in.
This means that although Carl Rheuban, 75, was able to return home on Thursday, his son’s partner, who does not live with them, was refused access.
“Even as a passenger, they won’t let her go,” Rheuban said Friday morning before the blockade was removed. “I have another son who lives in Woodland Hills – they don’t let him in. He can’t come and help me; we have three freezers full of spoiled food that I need to throw away.
Further south on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, a checkpoint on Viewridge Road was still in place as of 1 p.m. Friday, and only residents living south of the intersection were allowed to enter.
