A brush fire that broke out at the bottom of the Verdugo Mountains in Glendale was caused by sparks from mechanized equipment, authorities said Thursday.
The blaze broke out about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday near Brand Park, and 14 homes were evacuated as a precaution before crews stopped the fire’s spread, according to Glendale Public Information Officer Eliza Papazian.
“The cause of the fire has been determined to be a result of sparks from mechanized equipment,” the department announced Thursday. “The sparks created from this activity ignited the nearby vegetation and quickly spread to the hillside.”
No structures were immediately threatened, but as a precaution, authorities evacuated 14 homes along Mountain Street and Idlewood Road, according to the Glendale Fire Department. Power was also turned off in the 900 block of West Mountain Street, near Matilija Road.
The fire grew to 16.7 acres by the time 123 firefighters stopped its spread at 4:05 p.m., and the blaze was fully contained by 7:15 p.m., the Glendale Fire Department reported.
“This serves as a reminder that you can reduce the risk and protect your home by taking precautions and creating defensible space around your property,” the department said.
“Do not cut grass or operate outdoor power tools on hot, dry days and do all preventative brush clearance before 10 a.m.”