Brush fire that forced evacuations in Burbank is mostly contained; evacuation orders are lifted - Los Angeles Times
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Brush fire that forced evacuations in Burbank is mostly contained; evacuation orders are lifted

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A 10-acre brush fire that burned dangerously close to homes in the Verdugo Mountains was 80% contained Wednesday evening, and mandatory evacuation orders were lifted, authorities said.

The fire was reported near the 1000 block of Hamline Place just before 3 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department, which was assisting Burbank fire crews.

No structures were damaged in the fire, said Burbank Fire Battalion Chief Ron Barone. By late afternoon, he said, the risk of structural damage had passed.

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“We were able to keep [the flames] away from the structures,” Barone said.

The Burbank Police Department ordered evacuations of all homes on Viewcrest Drive and Howard Court. Irving Drive was closed east of Kenneth Road, and Joaquin Drive was closed at Haven Way.

But by 8:30 p.m., all evacuations were lifted.

About 150 firefighters were assigned to the blaze, which helped to quickly halt the fire’s growth.

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“Our incident commander saw the threat and pulled the trigger with calling for significant resources,” Barone said.

Authorities were concerned because houses “butt right up to the hillside,” Burbank police Sgt. Derek Green told KNBC-TV Channel 4. Police were trying to quickly communicate with residents who would soon be headed home from work, Green said.

“It was a fast-moving fire,” Green said. “This is a very dry area.”

Television news footage showed thick black smoke and tennis courts burning.

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About 15 fire engines responded to the three-alarm blaze, Barone told KTLA-TV Channel 5. Five engines were dedicated just to protecting homes, he said.

Multiple fire departments were assisting, including the Pasadena Fire Department, which sent two engines, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which sent two water-dropping helicopters, the agencies said on Twitter.

A brush fire burns close to homes in Burbank on Wednesday.
(Joyce Rudolph / Burbank Leader)

Times staff writers Matt Hamilton and Andy Nguyen contributed to this report.

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Twitter: @haileybranson

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UPDATES:

8:55 p.m.: This story was updated with additional details about the firefight.

4:55 p.m. This story was updated with how much of the fire was contained and other details from the Burbank Fire Department.

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4:10 p.m. This story was updated with details about the responding agencies.

3:45 p.m. This story was updated with new information from authorities.

This story was originally published at 3:25 p.m.

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