Firefighters Stop Sepulveda Basin Brush Fire At 60 Acres

Firefighters on Thursday night reported they were able to stop the Sepulveda Basin brush fire in the San Fernando Valley at 60 acres. The fire broke out shortly after 4 p.m. amid hot, dry weather and high winds that had already fueled numerous fires througout the state.

In a 9 p.m. update, Los Angeles Fire Department officials reported the fire was 80% contained after their "dozers cut very effective fire line that stopped the flames in their tracks."

All Los Angeles Unified School District campuses in the San Fernando Valley are closed Friday due to concerns about smoke and air quality. Community, Roscomare, Topanga, Valley View, Wonderland, and Elementary Community Day School (Devonshire) are also closed.

This story was updated as of 8:15 a.m. Friday. Find the latest alerts at LAFD.org/alerts.

The LAFD credited aggressive attacks by ground and air crews that prevented "this fire from damaging any buildings or even causing any evacuations."

No one was reported injured in the Sepulveda Basin Fire, authorities said. The cause remains unknown and under investigation.

The National Weather Service reported that peak wind gusts were at least 30 mph Thursday evening. Humidity was expected to be in the single digits. Similar conditions are expected to persist into Friday.

The fire was first reported in the 5600 block of North Woodley Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The area is known to be the site of homless encampments.

LAFD crews said they evacuated people from the homeless encampments south to the 101 Freeway.

"This particular area where the fire was was not cleaned out from homeless people but the areas around the basin that do fall within that boundary were cleaned out under the red flag conditions," said LAFD Deputy Chief Trevor Richmond during a Thursday evening media briefing.

Although residential evacuations were not announced, fire officials warned those living in Sherman Oaks and Encino to "gather essentials" and monitor local news and social media.

THE BASICS

• Acreage: 60
• Containment: 80%
• Injuries: 0
• Mandatory evacuations/evacuation centers (humans & animal): N/A
• Voluntary evacuations: N/A
• Road closures: As of 7 p.m.
  • Northbound and Southbound 405 off-ramps to Burbank Boulevard are closed;
  • Northbound 405 off-ramp to Victory Boulevard closed; Southbound 405 off-ramp reopened
  • Burbank Boulevard closed in both directions between Woodley Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard
• Structures destroyed: N/A
• Structures threatened: 0
• Resources deployed: 128 LAFD firefighters

SCENES ON THE GROUND

HOW WE'RE REPORTING ON THIS

Digital producers and news producer Megan Erwin were reporting on the fire.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For the latest information straight from local emergency officials, check the following websites and social media accounts:

• Los Angeles Fire Department website
• Los Angeles Fire Department Twitter

FIRE RESOURCES

• Every Day Is Fire Season. Here's How Angelenos Can Prepare Right Now
• How To Find Out About Fire Evacuations In Your Area
• How To Keep Yourself Safe From Wildfire Smoke
• The Air Is Brown -- Should I Wear A Mask?
• This Is Why Fire Officials Don't Want You To Stay And Defend Your Home
• What To Do -- And Not Do -- When You Get Home After A Wildfire
• How To Avoid Getting Towed During LA's Red Flag Parking Restrictions
• If You Want To Help Fire Victims, Resist The Urge To Volunteer

YOUR QUESTIONS OR IDEAS

This story was originally published at Oct. 24, 4:44 p.m. It was last updated at 4:15 a.m. Friday.