A brush fire broke out in heavy, inaccessible brush in Topanga on Saturday, burning through more than 4 acres and threatening at least one structure before firefighters got control of it, authorities said.
The fire ignited shortly before 4 p.m. along the 1200 block of North Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatch supervisor Bernard Peters said.
The blaze, which officials labeled the Topanga Fire, was initially reported to be an acre in size, burning through heavy brush, Peters said. Firefighters were having a hard time accessing the area..
Water-dropping helicopters joined firefighters on the ground in the effort to control the flames and keep them away from nearby structures.
Firefighters declared a second alarm in the early stages of the fire, but cancelled it as firefighters got the upper hand on the fire, fire dispatch supervisor Cheryl Sims said. “Forward progress” of the fire had been stopped by 4:25 p.m., fire officials said.
The flames consumed between 4 and 5 acres, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials. It was 100 percent contained by 9:30 p.m., and no evacuation orders were issued.
Both directions of Topanga Canyon Road were shut down between Pacific Coast Highway and Mulholland Drive due to the fire, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The road between Mulholland Drive and Old Topanga Canyon Road was reopened to residents only just after 6:30 p.m. All road closures were lifted by 9:30 p.m.
KTLA’s Alexandra Hernandez contributed to this report.
https://twitter.com/Bur01210878/status/1195853302019346432
@LACoFireAirOps @LACoFD_DivVII @LACOFD @LAFD @MrcaFire getting a good handle on the #TopangaFire. pic.twitter.com/grfw7oziMh
— Malibu Search Rescue (@MalibuSAR) November 17, 2019
BRUSH FIRE | FS69 | 1200 N Topanga | 3:32pm Brush fire being handled by first alarm response from BN5 102 FFs. Forward progress of fire progress stopped. LASD closing N/B S/B Topanga Cyn btwn PCH and Mulholland.
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) November 17, 2019
UPDATE: @LHSLASD 20% of the Fire has been contained. 4-5 acres burned. Fire Forward movement has been stopped. No evacuations at this time. Traffic closures will still be in effect until fire has been put out. pic.twitter.com/2c2ov6TMBP
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) November 17, 2019