Containment Of Getty Fire, Which Scorched 25 Acres In Sepulveda Pass, Estimated At 40%

BEL AIR, CA — Firefighters were continuing Friday to carve a containment line around the burn area of a brush fire that spurred evacuation warnings and charred about 25 acres earlier this week in the Sepulveda Pass in Bel Air, with the work about 40% completed, although there were no longer any active flames.

The fire was reported around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday near Getty Center Drive, north of the Getty Center museum near the southbound San Diego (405) Freeway, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Multiple water-dropping helicopters were dispatched to help douse the flames.

The Getty Center was closed earlier than scheduled Wednesday afternoon due to the fire.

The fire's progress was stopped around 6:10 p.m. Wednesday, according to the LAFD, which announced about two hours later that the evacuation warnings were lifted.

LAFD Chief Jaime Moore told reporters he expected the firefight to continue for days as crews worked to build a containment line around the burn area and monitor for any flare-ups.

"Last night was uneventful, with no flare-ups reported," the department announced on Friday.

Drone teams were continuing aerial reconnaissance and mapping the burn area, a department spokesman said.

"The drones have provided valuable information, particularly in areas of steep and difficult-to-access terrain, helping crews identify and monitor potential hot spots from above," according to an LAFD dispatch.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

City News Service