BRENTWOOD—Monday, October 28, firefighters were called on the scene to fight a fire in the 1800 block of North Sepulveda Blvd., near the 405 freeway at 1:34 a.m.
The Los Angeles Fire Department indicated investigators determined the preliminary cause of the fire by using burn patterns, witness statements, and physical evidence. The fire was deemed an accidental start, caused by a tree branch that broke off and subsequently landed in nearby powerlines during high wind conditions. This errant tree branch caused the sparking and arcing of powerlines, igniting nearby brush. All powerlines on the pole remained intact.
As of Thursday, October 31, the Getty Fire is 39 percent contained, of 745 acres. A total 7,091 residences are still considered threatened, while 12 homes have been destroyed and 5 residences have been damaged. Two firefighters sustained non-life threatening injuries while battling the wildfire.
Additional staff will be in the surrounding areas in case of an emergency over the next 24 hours and can contact www.mysafela.org/recovery/ for additional information.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has announced that 405 freeways and Sepulveda Blvd are now open.
The only areas remaining under Mandatory Evacuation are within these borders:
- Tigertail Rd at Deerbrook Ln to Chickory Ln
- Stonehill Ln
- Lindenwood Ln
- Sky Ln
- Canna Rd
- Chickory Ln
- Bluestone Tr to Bluegrass Wy
- Bluestone Tr
- Bluegrass Ln
- Bluegrass Wy
EVACUATION SHELTERS (small animals also welcome):
- Palisades Recreation Center (851 Alma Real Drive) Open 24 Hours
- Westwood Recreation Center (1350 South Sepulveda Boulevard) Open 24 Hours
ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTERS:
- West Valley Animal Shelter (20655 Plummer Street)
- West LA Animal Shelter (11361 West Pico Boulevard)
- Large Animals: Hansen Dam Recreation Area (11127 Orcas Ave)
Helping battle the blaze are the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), CAL FIRE, Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD), L.A. Emergency Management Department (EMD), L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), L.A. Department of Water and Power (DWP), SoCal Gas, American Red Cross, L.A. Public Works, Department of Transportation (DOT), Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA). City Council District 5, City Council District 11.
Written By Anita Brown and Casey Jacobs