Firefighters from Los Angeles city and county as well as Glendale are battling a brushfire that has scorched at least 30 acres of grass in the Eagle Rock area, forced some evacuations in Glendale, shut down parts of several freeways and jumped the north side of the Ventura (134) Freeway, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The brush fire burning in the area of 2900 West Colorado Boulevard was reported at 4:09 p.m., according to fire department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart, who said firefighters now have the blaze 25% contained as of 7:30 p.m.
The fire spotted to the north side of the 134 Freeway and slowly backed its way toward homes in the area, Stewart said.
Firefighters were setting up for potential structural defense operations according to Stewart.
Three LAFD water-dropping helicopters and two L.A. county Fire Department helicopters are assisting firefighters with water drops and firefighters were making good progress against the brush fire on the left flank while the right flank was requiring additional resources, Stewart said.
The 134 Freeway was shut down on the westbound side at Figueroa and on the eastbound side at Glendale, and the southbound Glendale (2) Freeway was closed at Mountain, according to Stewart. The transition road between the westbound 134 and 2 freeways was also shut down, as was the transition road from the southbound Golden State (5) Freeway to the 134, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The fire has caused major traffic tie-ups on all the affected freeways and officials asked motorists to stay out of the area.
A first SigAlert was declared by the CHP at 4:57 p.m.
In addition to Los Angeles County and Glendale firefighting resources, the LAFD has committed at least 215 firefighters to battling this major emergency.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered by Glendale officials on Glenoaks Boulevard from Mount Carmel Drive to Bywood Drive including all streets in between.
An evacuation center has been established at the Civic Auditorium at 1401 North Verdugo Road in Glendale, officials said.
So far, no injuries have been reported and no buildings have been burned, Stewart said.
The LAFD will maintain firefighters and resources at the site throughout the night to mop up and handle of hot spots that might erupt, Stewart said.