Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
La Tuna Fire, one of the largest in LA history, burns thousands of acres
The La Tuna Canyon fire burns in the hills above Burbank, California, early Sept. 2, 2017.
(
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
)
The San Gabriel Fire Department is one of several agencies helping fight the La Tuna Fire, burning in the hills above Burbank on September 2, 2017.
(
Kyle Stokes / KPCC
)
Many roads have been blocked off roads and the smoke is thick near the La Tuna Fire, burning in the hills above Burbank, early September 2, 2017.
(
Kyle Stokes / KPCC
)
A hillside smolders near Bel Air Drive, which the Burbank Police Department shut down on Saturday, Sep. 2, 2017 during the La Tuna Fire.
(
Kyle Stokes / KPCC
)
The La Tuna Fire burns near Eton and Amber streets in the hills above Burbank on September 2, 2017.
(
Kyle Stokes / KPCC
)
The La Tuna Fire burns in the hills above Burbank, early September 2, 2017.
(
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
)
A helicopter from the L.A. County Fire Department provides air support to crews battling the La Tuna Fire burns in the hills above Burbank on September 2, 2017.
(
LaCoFireAirOps/Twitter
)
A crew prepares to fight the La Tuna Fire, burning in the hills above Burbank on September 2, 2017.
(
Lakeside Fire District/Twitter
)
The La Tuna Fire burns in the hills above Burbank, early September 2, 2017.
(
Burbank Police Department/Twitter
)
The La Tuna Fire burns in the hills above Burbank, early September 2, 2017.
(
Burbank Police Department/Twitter
)
A fire burning in the Sun Valley area on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 that forced the closure of the 210 Freeway in both directions.
(
NBC L.A.
)
A fire burning in the Sun Valley area on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 that forced the closure of the 210 Freeway in both directions.
(
NBC L.A.
)
A fire burning in the Sun Valley area on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 that forced the closure of the 210 Freeway in both directions.
(
NBC L.A.
)
A fire burning in the Sun Valley area on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 that forced the closure of the 210 Freeway in both directions.
(
NBC L.A.
)
A general map of the burn area of the La Tuna Fire burning near Burbank and Sunland, as of early afternoon on Saturday, September 2, 2017.
(
Los Angeles Fire Department / Twitter
)
Smoke forecast for La Tuna Fire from Saturday to Monday.
The La Tuna Fire continues to burn near Burbank, Glendale and Sun Valley, scorching at least 5,800 acres of brush. The fire was about 10% contained, authorities said Saturday.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti declared a state of emergency and asked Gov. Jerry Brown to declare one as well.
"There is a continued threat of significant damage to property," the mayor's declaration read.
Two homes and one other structure in the Tujunga area were destroyed, officials confirmed.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said that the three structures that were lost did not have brush cleared, as required by municipal codes.
"Give us a chance to save your house. If it’s not clear, the fire is going to burn all the way to your house," Terrazas said. "It gives us defensible space."
No civilian deaths were reported, a fact that Terrazas described as "amazing."
Sponsored message
By late Saturday, two firefighters were taken to the hospital for dehydration, but were reported to be in stable condition, LAFD officials said.
A helicopter from the L.A. County Fire Department provides air support to crews battling the La Tuna Fire burns in the hills above Burbank on September 2, 2017.
(
LaCoFireAirOps/Twitter
)
EVACUATIONS
At least 300 homes were initially evacuated in Burbank, 250 in Glendale and 180 in Los Angeles. By 10 p.m., all evacuations in Burbank were lifted. Below were the evacuations that remain in place:
Mandatory Evacuations
- Glenwood Oaks area in Glendale: end of Boston Avenue, El Lado Drive, Cedarbend Drive, Tanbark Place, Ferntree Place and Beechglen Drive
- New York Ave area in Glendale - Mountain Oaks Park, Celita Way, Kadletz Road
- McGroarty Park area in Tujunga
- Wornan Avenue, south of Sunland in Tujunga
- Morning Glow, south of La Tuna Canyon Road in Sun Valley
The La Tuna Canyon fire burns in the hills above Burbank, California, early September 2, 2017.
The brush fire which quickly burned 2,000 acres started on September 1 and was being driven by heat wave temperatures and high winds. / AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
(
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
)
Voluntary Evacuations
- Whiting Wood Area in Glendale - Whiting Woods Road, Lockerbie Lane, Lockerbie Court, Hilway Drive, Mesa Lila Road, Mesa Lila Lane
- Haines Canyon area in Tujunga - Charrick Drive, Charrick Place, Estepa Drive, Wexlord Drive
- Aileen and Hillhaven in Tujunga
- McGroarty from Oro Vista to Plainview in Tujunga
- Revierie area in Tujunga - Alene Drive to Hillhaven Avenue, Reverier, Glen Oaks Peace Parkway, Tranquil Drive, Inspiration Way, Tranquil Place, Hillhaven Place
- In Sunland - Shadow Island Drive, Wornom Avenue and south of Sunland
Evacuation Centers
- Sunland Recreation Center: 8651 Foothill Blvd., Sunland-Tujunga
- McCambridge Park: 1515 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank
- Glendale Civic Auditorium: 1401 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale
- Crescenta Valley High School: 2900 Community Ave., La Crescenta (pets are welcome)
- Hansen Dam Equestrian Center (for large animals), 11127 Orcas Ave, Sylmar
Many roads have been blocked off roads and the smoke is thick near the La Tuna Fire, burning in the hills above Burbank, early September 2, 2017.
(
Kyle Stokes / KPCC
)
Sponsored message
ROAD CLOSURES
By late Saturday, the eastbound 210 Freeway was closed at Wheatland to Lowell avenues, and the westbound 210 Freeway was closed from the 2 Freeway to Osborne Street.
The fire initially shut down the 210 on Friday afternoon, leaving a 12-mile stretch of the freeway closed going into the long Labor Day weekend.
Smoke forecast for La Tuna Fire from Saturday to Monday.
AIR QUALITY
Due to poor air quality, the Burbank Police Department is asking people to stay indoors, limit your recreational activities and keep pets indoors.
KPCC's Chief Financial Officer Elsa Luna lives in Sun Valley, just a few blocks from Burbank.
Sponsored message
She and her family planned to stay indoors Saturday with the windows closed.
"The air quality is definitely not good," Luna said. "I felt it first thing this morning. I have heavy allergies. The smoke outside makes it pretty thick and a little muddy, you can definitely smell smell some type of fire or amber."
Luna also said ash has been falling from the sky sporadically.
The South Coast AQMD has issued a smoke advisory for the East San Fernando Valley, the West San Gabriel Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains. That covers the areas of Sunland, Tujunga and La Crescenta, as well as other communities.
WEATHER
Along with winds, firefighters had to deal with high temperatures. On Friday temperatures reached 107. It stayed hot Saturday with temperatures topping 100.
Sponsored message
Temperatures in the following days should drop to highs of 88, according to forecasts, which should make fighting the fires easier.
A fire burning in the Sun Valley area on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 that forced the closure of the 210 Freeway in both directions.
(
NBC L.A.
)
WHAT WE KNOW
The initial call for the fire came in shortly before 1:30 p.m. Friday, LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart said.
The LAFD thought they had stopped the forward progress of the fire, but high winds led to a spot fire leaping across the 210 Freeway, about a quarter of a mile away. The fire grew from there.
Residents in Burbank, Glendale and other parts of greater Los Angeles could see the fire burning late into Friday night.
Brace Canyon Park resident Frank Kayden was woken up by his son and daughter alerting him to the fire.
“So I got out of bed and went in the backyard, and I can see the flames come on over,” Kayden said.
Police later arrived at his door to told him to evacuate. He spent the night at the Red Cross Shelter at McCambridge Park.
More than 800 firefighters from LAFD were battling the La tuna Fire, which quickly grew to become one of the largest in the city of L.A.'s history. Crews from several other fire departments including the Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, L.A. County and Angeles National Forest, were assisting.
Mayor Garcetti on Saturday morning incorrectly called it the largest fire in the city's history. In 1961, the Bel Air fire burned 6,090 acres and destroyed 484 homes, according to LAFD historical archives.
This story has been updated.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
