40-Acre Fire Triggers Evacuation Warning Near Sepulveda Pass

LOS ANGELES, CA — An evacuation warning was issued for residents living near a brush fire that broke out near the San Diego (405) Freeway Sepulveda Pass late Wednesday night, but firefighters were able to hold the flames at bay,

Crews stopped the forward progress of the fire at 40 acres, capping a tense night for residents in Bel-Air and Brentwood. The evacuation warning was lifted by 2 a.m. Thursday.

"There are no structures damaged and no injuries reported," said Los Angeles Fire department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart. "Firefighters will remain on scene through the night conducting mop up operations to ensure no hot spots remain. Traffic on the 405 Freeway will likely remain impacted as crews and apparatus work alongside the freeway. "

The evacuation warning had been issued for Bel-Air, Brentwood residents south of 1500 block of Casiano Road, north of Moraga Drive, east of Sepulveda Boulevard and west of Chalon Road.

SEE: Sepulveda Pass Fire: See 405 Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Warning Areas

"Stay alert, vigilant and follow LAFD Alerts," said Stewart.

Shortly before 1 a.m., Stewart announced progress in battling the flames.

"The combined aerial and ground attack has made good progress against the fire," she said.

The fire was burning quickly amid dense brush north of the Getty Center. Ground and air crews mounted an aggressive attack to keep the fire from spreading. The wind was mild — topping out at 15 mph — as the blaze broke out, but wind gusts picked up throughout the morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The California Highway Patrol lifted its SigAlert for the 405 Freeway. Both the Getty Off-ramp and the Sepulveda Boulevard off-ramp were closed, according to the CHP.