A five-acre brushfire on both sides of — and under — the Golden State (5) Freeway caused smoke to blow across 14 lanes of traffic Saturday before it was contained to five acres and put out, authorities said.
Firefighters declared the flames to be knocked down at 1:46 p.m., after an 89-minute battle by 75 firefighters, Margaret Steward of the Los Angeles Fire Department said. “Crews will remain in the area conducting mop up.”
CHP officers said it appeared that the fire began at a homeless encampment along the 5, near Roxford Street and the Van Norman Reservoir, at the northern end of the San Fernando Valley.
At least five acres burned west of the freeway, a smaller fire threatened a concrete-built warehouse east of the freeway, and flames were spotted in the center divider, according to the Los Angeles city fire department and CHP officers.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 12:17 p.m., in response to a report of a quarter-acre vegetation fire and a vehicle possibly down an embankment, Stewart said.
Additional engines were requested at 1:09 p.m. when the blaze grew into approximately five acres, with a report of at least one commercial building being threatened, she said.
“A bulk of the fire (has been) knocked down,” she said after that. “Helicopters continue providing critical water drops.
“No structures threatened. No injuries reported. No additional resources are anticipated to be required.”