Bush Fire Breaks Out in Sepulveda Basin

A bush fire erupted in the Sepulveda Basin on Thursday afternoon, October 24, near the 405 Freeway despite strong winds passing through the area. It sent a dense plume of black smoke into the air at the start of the afternoon commute.

The fire broke out around 4:30 p.m. near the Burbank Boulevard and Woodley Avenue intersection. About 60 acres were burned and were 80 percent contained by 9 p.m. according to the Los Angeles Fire Department,

Over 120 firefighters were assigned to battle the fire from the ground and the air. No injuries were reported. The deployed firefighters are expected to stay in the area overnight to monitor "hot spots."

Homeless people evacuate

Evacuations were underway for homeless people living in the basin south of the 101 Freeway. A fire erupted in the same area in July and tore through about seven acres of thick bush displacing an estimated 100 homeless people who were living in the area.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the blaze was heading towards the southwestern direction. Residents in the Encino and Sherman Oaks were asked to prepare for possible evacuation due to dry and windy conditions, which may cause the fire to spark again.

Update #BrushFire#SepulvedaFire; INC#1206; 5:40PM; 5600 N Woodley Ave; https://t.co/OwJ9W8GJdk; #SepulvedaBasin; 128 Firefighters continue to attack the fire from ground and air in an attempt to slow its progress. The fire is ... https://t.co/m47lakmNcr — LAFD (@LAFD) October 25, 2019

 Sepulveda Boulevard and Woodley Avenues were blocked in both directions during the firefight. On- and off-ramps between Burbank Boulevard and the 405 Freeway were likewise closed, including the southbound 405 Ramp to Victory Boulevard.

In a news report, LAFD Deputy Chief Trevor Richmond said in a Thursday evening media briefing that the Sepulveda Basin become a popular camping site for the homeless. He said the areas which fall within the boundary of the basin were cleaned out under the red flag warning.

There was no direct evidence of what caused Thursday's blaze. It's the third blaze to break out in the Southland within hours of each other, including fires in Canyon Country, which burned nearly 4,000 acres of land and Castaic, which burned 10,000 acres of land.

City crews conducted a massive cleanup operation in Sepulveda Basin during August and September. The fire also prompted the city to immediately pass an ordinance authorizing police to relocate homeless people out of fire-prone areas during red flag conditions.

Santa Ana winds to gust through Friday

Meteorologists said Santa Ana winds were expected to gust through Friday evening. The National Weather Service announced that peak wind gusts were at least 30 mph on Thursday evening. Similar conditions are expected to persist into Friday.

Extreme fire danger through Friday! Strong winds are causing spotting 1-2 miles ahead of fires - they WILL jump over roads, including multi-lane roads!! Stay safe, evacuate early if you can. #CAwx #CAfire #SoCal #TickFire pic.twitter.com/UBqJh4rjWW — NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) October 25, 2019

No classes on Friday – LA School District

Los Angeles Unified School District schools were expected to be closed Friday due to poor air quality in the region. Community, Elementary Community Day School (Devonshire), Roscomare, Valley View, Topanaga, and Wonderland will be closed, too.

All #LAUSD schools in the San Fernando Valley will be closed on Friday, Oct. 25, due to air-quality and safety concerns from the fires. Community, Roscomare, Topanga, Valley View, Wonderland and Elementary CDS (Devonshire) will also be closed. Check here for updates. — L.A. Unified (@LASchools) October 25, 2019

Utility companies, including SoCal Edison, preemptively cut power to thousands of homes Thursday to diminish the threat of wildfires.