News

LAFD Battles 30 Acre Van Nuys Brush Fire

Friday, August 22, 2014
Van Nuys-

Over 125 firefighters battled a brush fire that erupted within the Sepulveda basin on August 22, 2014, scorching 30 acres.

Photo of LAFD helicopter making a water drop on brush fire.Just before 4:00 PM the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to the 15700 block of Burbank Boulevard to find thick brush and trees on fire in the Sepulveda basin.

A 10 mph southerly wind began blowing embers, creating several spot fires. The flames quickly spread to 10-acres and began burning two different areas, South and North of Burbank Boulevard, prompting the Incident Commander to create two separate branches of command and control. A large column of grey smoke was clearly visible from the 405 and 101 freeways.

Firefighters attacked the flames with hose-lines and hand tools, in nearly 90 degree weather. Multiple helicopters, including the Erickson Air-Crane, performed precise water drops.

Fortunately there are no structures threatened and firefighters were able to take more of a defensive posture. No one was injured.

The fires prompted the California Highway Patrol to shut down the Burbank Boulevard off-ramps from the northbound and southbound San Diego (405) Freeway. Burbank Boulevard also was closed between Woodley Avenue and Balboa Boulevard for a period of time.

Three LAFD Chiefs, wearing brush firefighting gear, speaking to one another regarding the active fire.Over 125 firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Andrew Fox, fully extinguished the flames in nearly two and a half hours. A total of 30 Acres burned.

Firefighters remained on the scene through the next day to continue extinguishing hot spots.

The cause of the fire is under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E83 E88 WT88 T88 E288 BC10 H4 T90 E290 E239 T39 RA39 E100 E109 H0A EM14 BC14 E102 H3 RA83 E99 DC3 EM9 BC17 E105 E87 E109 H748 E93 E108 E89 E7 E86 E260 T60 E278 T78 BC9 BC12 E60 RA100 RA90 E37 E98 E81 E61 E27 HU59 BP44 BP74 E33 E5 E61 E8 E90 E33 BP78 E105 E88 BP109 E87 E83 T98 E298 BC10

Share this
Follow LAFD

Translate