A firefighter fights a blaze in Fontana, one day before the fire near the Getty Museum (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
The estimated 150-acre brush fire raging between the Getty Museum and Mount St. Mary's College has prompted the California Highway Patrol to close the 405 Freeway in both directions between Skirball Center Drive in the Sepulveda Pass and Sunset Blvd., according to CHP officials and updates via an online log. 405 north and southbound traffic is being diverted to the 10 Freeway and Valley Vista Rd. in Sherman Oaks, respectively.
The blaze, first reported at 12:51 a.m., had not damaged or put the museum or college in imminent danger, the LA Fire Department reported shortly before 3:00 a.m. With the conflagration moving in a southwesterly direction and no formal evacuation called, fire officials encouraged residents who could see flames to "calmly prepare to leave well in advance of the flames."
Over 300 firefighters and helicopters from various agencies reported to the scene.
LAist Traffic Recommendation: With the Freeways and Sepulveda Blvd., the best options for crossing the Santa Monica Mountains between the basin and valley are Beverly Glen Blvd., Coldwater Canyon Ave. and Laurel Canyon Blvd (map).
Update: The LA Times reports the northbound 405 has reopened. Also, the Fire Department is planning another "bigger air assault" of water-carrying helicopters after sunrise.
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It was insane getting into work this AM.
Agreed. I always use Laurel Canyon to get to the valley for work, but I work on Ventura near the Sherman Oaks Galleria. Ventura was backed up to Woodley, at least. Crazy.
Another reason why we should have more commuter trains, subways, and routes over the pass. What would happen if a natural disaster like this occurred (fire... earthquake??) Mobility would be FROZEN. We need more routes in and out of the city.
That DID happen during the earthquake. Mostly, though, it was a problem because emergency vehicles from the city proper didn't have a way to get in and out of the SFV. (No one was going to work that day.)