Los Angeles fire: Flames engulf hillside along 405 Freeway prompting evacuations

UPDATED: Jan 23, 2025 23:05 IST

A new wildfire erupted on Wednesday night along the 405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass, sending flames racing up the hillside and forcing nearby residents to flee their homes. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the blaze, dubbed the Sepulveda Fire, broke out around 11 p.m. on the eastern side of the freeway, quickly consuming dense brush and prompting an immediate response from firefighters.

The fire prompted an evacuation warning for all residents that lived south of the 1500 block of Casiano Road, north of Moraga Drive, east of Sepulveda Boulevard, and west of Chalon Road. The LAFD asked all people in those areas to be conscious of the fire and ready to evacuate.

Motorists on the 405 Freeway found themselves in the midst of a surreal scene as they crawled past the burning hillside. The California Highway Patrol temporarily halted traffic on the southbound lanes near the Getty Center, though the duration of the closure remained unclear. As of midnight, the northbound lanes remained open, but drivers were advised to seek alternative routes.

Firefighting efforts kicked into high gear as the blaze spread. Multiple fire engines were dispatched to the scene, while water-dropping helicopters buzzed overhead, drawing water from the nearby Stone Canyon Reservoir in Bel-Air to douse the flames. The aerial assault proved crucial in the initial containment efforts, as the fire's location in steep terrain made ground access challenging for firefighters.

Weather did not help the cause of the firefighters either. According to Todd Hall, a meteorologist with the Weather Service, winds blew at 8 to 15 mph, with gusts at 25 mph. This, coupled with a critically low humidity level of 3-8%, provided perfect conditions for the fire to spread.

The Sepulveda Fire comes on the heels of a busy fire season in Southern California. Just days earlier, the Hughes Fire north of Castaic scorched over 10,000 acres, forcing thousands to evacuate. The relentless string of wildfires has stretched firefighting resources thin and left residents on edge.

As dawn broke on Thursday, the full extent of the Sepulveda Fire became clearer. The LAFD reported that the blaze had grown to approximately 20 acres, burning through heavy brush with a moderate rate of spread. Firefighters worked tirelessly to establish containment lines and protect nearby structures.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but its proximity to the 405 Freeway has raised questions about potential human involvement. Officials urge the public to remain cautious and report any suspicious activities in fire-prone areas.