Firefighters are still working to contain an overnight brush fire that broke out in the San Fernando Valley.
According to fire officials, the blaze was first reported just before 1:30 a.m. Monday morning on a hillside near the intersection of Mason Avenue and Sesnon Boulevard in Chatsworth.
Helicopters were seen dropping water on the flames overnight as crews worked to contain the fire, which, as of 4:30 a.m. Monday morning, was holding at three and a half acres. No structures are threatened, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said.
The overnight blaze comes during a period of strong Santa Ana winds that can easily fuel wildfires and topple trees.
Several small fires were extinguished on Sunday across Ventura and Los Angeles counties; crews quickly contained a 15-acre fire in Camarillo after it broke out shortly before 2 p.m., and fires were also reported in West Hills, Wilmington and North Hollywood later in the afternoon.
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through 10 p.m. Monday night for much of L.A. and Ventura counties, according to the National Weather Service.
Gusts of 40 to 60 miles per hour through mountains, valleys and coasts are expected to last into Tuesday.
“Winds may drop off a bit into Monday but remain on the strong side,” NWS said. “Further weakening is expected into Tuesday, but [winds] may remain strong enough to support continued critical fire weather conditions away from the coast across wind prone portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.”
To view the up to date forecast for your community, click here.