Wildfire one of largest in L.A.’s history
LOS ANGELES — A brush fire in the Verdugo Mountains north of downtown Los Angeles has burned more than 5,000 acres, making it one of the largest fires in the city’s history and one that officials warn could grow larger if erratic weather continues.
Hundreds of firefighters battled the fire overnight and into Saturday morning, and at one point, flames spread in four directions in intense heat and wild winds. One home was burned, but no injuries were reported, officials said Saturday.
Those firefighters were facing another day of tripledigit heat in inland areas of Southern California as a heat wave that has gripped the state continues. The National Weather Service said temperatures could reach 110 to115 degrees in the hottest areas, and hillside areas could experience more of the shifting winds that helped fuel what has been dubbed the La Tuna fire.
“Our priority is saving people and saving property,” Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said at a news conference in Lake View Terrace, where he was joined by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
“There is a lot of unburned fuel” in this area, Chief Terrazas warned, noting that the last fire in the area was at least 30 years ago.
Chief Terrazas and Mr. Garcetti said the La Tuna fire was the largest in the city’s history in terms of acreage.
“We can’t recall anything larger,” Chief Terrazas said.
“Our biggest concern is the wind and weather,” Chief Terrazas said. “The erratic weather is our No. 1 challenge. If there’s no wind, this is a relatively easy fire to put out. But when the wind changes, it changes our priorities because other properties become at risk.”
The fire was 10 percent contained Saturday morning, officials said. Winds were blowing between 10 and 15 mph, with humidity at 10 to 15 percent.
The combination of dry brush, high heat, low humidity and shifting winds make it possible for the fire to spread, officials said.
“We are worried about the fire hooking southeast into Glendale and working its way up into Whiting Woods area,” Mr. Garcetti said.
Late Saturday morning, the city of Glendale announced voluntary emergency evacuations in the Glenwood Oaks and Mountain Oaks neighborhoods. Residents in the city’s Whiting Woods neighborhood also were told to be prepared to leave.
The fire was burning on multiple fronts southwest of the 210 Freeway, which remained closed Saturday morning between the Glendale Freeway and Sunland Boulevard. It was not known when it would be reopened.
Officials warned of poor air quality throughout the region. Burbank police officers wore respiratory masks early Saturday and urged residents to stay indoors.