Culver City fire fighters were part of Strike Team XLA 1075A Thursday night to help control the Sepulveda Fire which closed Sepulveda Blvd. and portions of the 405 freeway over the pass.
Forward progress of the Sepulveda Fire that erupted quickly overnight off the 405 freeway near Getty Center in Los Angeles was contained at 45 acres early Thursday morning.
All evacuation orders for the Sepulveda Fire were lifted as of 2:30 a.m. PST while Sepulveda Boulevard was still closed Thursday morning through the Sepulveda Pass as well as some on and off-ramps for the 405 Freeway.
Overnight firefighters, with support from aircraft and dozers, fought aggressively and were challenged by extreme fire behavior, terrain, and weather. The coordinated ground and air attack kept the fire from spreading to Elderberry Canyon, the Castaic Hydroelectric Power Plant and surrounding communities. Eight Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS) launched from Channel Islands, flying a combined 11.1 hours and dropping 30,678 gallons of retardant. Two CAL FIRE HAWKS from the Prado Helitack Base flew 5.1 and 4.4 hours, respectively, delivering nearly 80,000 gallons of water. Another CAL FIRE HAWK from Hemet-Ryan Helitack Base operated overnight, flying 5 hours and dropping over 33,000 gallons of water.
Today, crews will continue focusing on establishing and holding control lines on all flanks of the fire. Firefighters will continue reinforcing control lines and holding the fire in its current footprint, protecting the Wayside Honor Rancho and structures along Charlie Canyon drainage. Additional fire engines will be staged within the community of Castaic to prevent any fire spread. A red flag warning remains in effect for the area until 10:00 a.m. Friday. A high wind warning is in effect until 6:00 p.m. Thursday. Today firefighters expect extreme fire behavior and will continue to aggressively fight the blaze day and night with support from aircraft.
The Sepulveda fire is reminiscent of the Bel Air Fire and was a disaster that began as a brush fire on November 6, 1961 in the Bel Air community of Los Angeles. The fire destroyed 484 homes and burned 6,090 acres (24.6 km2)[1] At least 200 firemen were injured with mostly eye injuries due to the smoke and flying embers. The fire was fueled by strong Santa Ana winds.