Man, 78, Severely Burned In El Sereno Brush Fire

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 78-year-old man was severely burned in a brush fire that broke out in El Sereno Monday afternoon, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The fire was reported after 3 p.m. on the 4400 block of Harriman Avenue, in or near the Elephant Hill open space area, according to the Los Angeles fire Department. The area is about 1 mile due east of the Arroyo Seco (110) Parkway, south of South Pasadena and west of Alhambra.

At 3:20 p.m., firefighters reported at least an acre had burned in a "slow moving terrain-driven wildfire moving uphill in light grass to medium brush." Authorities later downgraded the size of the fire to a half acre.

It took 93 firefighters 76 minutes to fully contain the fire, which they battled from the ground and by air.

"One 78 year-old male civilian (undetermined site affiliation) was discovered with severe burn injury. In serious condition, he is being transported by LAFD Paramedics to an area hospital," the LAFD said.

The blaze, dubbed the Collis Fire, did not destroy any building or lead to any evacuations.

"Firefighters will remain at scene this evening mopping up hot spots, Fire cause under active investigation," the LAFD said.