15 Acres Burns Near The Getty Center

On Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 5:01 PM, 50 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 5 Helicopters, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Water Tender, 1 Rehab Plug, 4 LACO Camp Crews under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a MAJOR EMERGENCY BRUSH FIRE at NB 405 FWY at Getty Center Dr. in Brentwood.

Los Angeles Firefighters, arrived at yet another brush fire this season, along the hills near The Getty Center. Due to the already state of readiness and enhanced staffing for critical fire weather conditions, arriving crews discovered five acres of medium to heavy brush burning uphill adjacent to the 405 freeway. LAFD along with California Highway Patrol, secured the rightmost lanes of the busy freeway to begin anchoring the flames and working the flanks of the fire. The blaze moved towards a high ridge near homes below just on the other side.

Despite the calm winds, and with no 'Red Flag Warning' in effect for the City of Los Angeles, the flames still moved rapidly through the light and flashy fuels towards thicker brush. LAFD water dropping helicopters were quickly called into action and halted the advancement of the flames unreachable by ground crews. Additional fire personnel were strategically placed near homes to be safe guarded in case the fire reached any structures.

Due to the hard work and efforts of the helicopters above and the ground crews below, the fire was held to little less than 15 acres. It took over 275 firefighters 2 hours’ and 10 minutes to bring the flames under full containment. No structures were damaged during the incident and no evacuation went onto affect. The cause of the fire remains under an active investigation.


Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department