Wildfire burns 5,000 acres, forces hundreds of evacuations in California (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
A ferocious bushfire near Los Angeles has spread across thousands of acres, prompting the mandatory evacuations of hundreds of homes in Burbank, California.
One home has been lost in the fire, according to the latest statement from the LA Fire Department. No injuries were sustained in that incident.
#LaTunaFire General burn area of fire +5,000 acres 10% contained 1 house lost Detailed evac map pending List here https://t.co/YrRAiGk9Tvpic.twitter.com/KduKAoUzdJ
— LAFD (@LAFD) September 2, 2017
Five thousand acres have now burned in the intense wildfire while containment remains at 10 percent.
Approximately 300 homes in Burbank, 250 in Glendale and 180 in Los Angeles are under evacuation.
Burbank police announced mandatory evacuations of residents in the Brace Canyon Park area after the surrounding Verdugo Mountains caught fire at about 1:30pm on Friday afternoon.
#LaTunaFire If you are in the Stough Nature Center area, you need to leave now. We are coming to remove you & it is depleting our resources
— Burbank Police (@BurbankPD) September 2, 2017
@BurbankPD helicopter TFO took this photo a few minutes ago from high above #Burbank. #LaTunaFirepic.twitter.com/mQ42ZKfzd7
— Burbank Police (@BurbankPD) September 2, 2017
#LaTunaFire We understand there is a tech issue with the link in our alerts - latest update attached and avail at https://t.co/B6kECwVNrrpic.twitter.com/tMnoihaVoR
— LAFD (@LAFD) September 2, 2017
#LaTunaFire Red lines show est fire burn area Approx 50 homes under threat right now in Brace Canyon - Mandatory evac follow @BurbankPDpic.twitter.com/e1lEwgzmiY
— LAFD (@LAFD) September 2, 2017
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Around 10 hours later, the LAFD said strong gusting winds meant the fire was erratic and unpredictable, leaving officials “unable to give a firm prediction on all areas potentially at risk”.
“The LaTunaFire is burning in 4 different directions to include down over the hills towards Burbank as well as north through the canyons above the 210 freeway,” read a statement from the LAFD released late Friday night.
A nighttime aerial view of the #LaTunaFire that burned hundreds of acres in the #SunValley and #Sunland areas https://t.co/IRHvdNM8Pbpic.twitter.com/DEqoY6orgg
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) September 2, 2017
At 325 pm, tstms in vicinity of #LaTunaFire will bring very gusty/erratic winds with potential for extreme fire behavior. #LAWeather#cawx pic.twitter.com/fXttJAbtjg
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) September 1, 2017
Drove past this fire in La Tuna Canyon a little over an hour ago. If you're in CA, prepare for natural disasters. It's not if, it's when. pic.twitter.com/zEENhbanpT
— Jess Phoenix 2018 (@jessphoenix2018) September 1, 2017
.@CHPsouthern reporting ALL LANES of the 210 freeway are CLOSED at La Tuna Canyon for an unknown duration. I-5 is slow thru Burbank. pic.twitter.com/Hy2n98Wt3y
— Burbank Police (@BurbankPD) September 1, 2017
Flames, fanned by 40mph winds, reached 100 feet in height as they spread across the 210 freeway, bringing traffic to a halt and eventually closing the road on both sides.
Intense flames 🔥 under high tension wires #LATunaFirepic.twitter.com/GBjwncEefq
— christina heller (@CHellerTVNews) September 1, 2017
Aaannnd this is the first thing I see as I get off the plane at Burbank airport. #LaTunaFirepic.twitter.com/hpUqk4bw1f
— Vineetha (@Vineetha) September 2, 2017
#LaTunaFire still going strong, unfortunately. View from Burbank. Hope the fire crews stay safe. pic.twitter.com/dxj7u6Vpkh
— Steve Brown (@sbrown23) September 2, 2017
#LIVE: Traffic stopped as flames jump 210 Freeway https://t.co/ffml3q9iMtpic.twitter.com/nLfY7WZBml
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) September 1, 2017
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The fire has remained at 10-percent containment since 7pm Friday, and a tweet from Burbank police early Saturday said the evacuation orders will likely continue until “tomorrow afternoon.”
Residents shared incredible footage of the blaze from all around the city, in particular from Burbank Airport and the 210 freeway.
More than 250 firefighters from the LAFD have been tackling the blaze from the ground and air. Fire crews from Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Los Angeles County, City, and the Angeles National Forest were also called in to help battle the flames.
Walked outside and holy damn. #LaTunaFirepic.twitter.com/UsbA97rORC
— Dana Terrace (@DanaTerrace) September 1, 2017
The view from my balcony this afternoon vs now! 😳 Praying that our firefighters can contain this before anyone gets hurt! 🙏🏼 #LaTunaFirepic.twitter.com/tnVcZbRjxp
— E5QUIRE (@Dj_E5QUIRE) September 2, 2017
#LaTunaFire is still burning. Hopefully everyone stays safe out there pic.twitter.com/kJ3Xhre4Zg
— Baker Chase Powell (@BakerChase01) September 2, 2017
Multiple @LACoFireAirOps helicopters assisting @LAFD with #LaTunaFire wildfire in Verdugo Mountains and 210 Freeway area pic.twitter.com/fnR8S3hvsi
— LACoFireAirOps (@LACoFireAirOps) September 1, 2017
