Firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to a brush fire in Runyon Canyon Park on June 12th that was successfully extinguished within 44 minutes of their arrival. According to the initial alert issued by the LAFD, the incident, labeled as INC#1145, began at approximately 3:49 PM at 3038 N Runyon Canyon Rd in the Hollywood Hills West area. The fire was described as having a slow rate of spread, with light wind conditions at the base of a ravine in the park and no immediate threat to structures or need for evacuations.
The LAFD ground and air units navigated the challenging, remote terrain to reach the fire, which was reported to be a small area with more volatile brush above. In a follow-up report by the department, it was confirmed that "The first 20 arriving LAFD ground-based Firefighters swiftly hiked into the remote location to confine and extinguish flames within a roughly 50' x 50' area." No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, nor was there damage to any structures. The containment of the fire was achieved through the dedicated efforts of the firefighters who worked efficiently to control the situation. Crews planned to remain onsite throughout the evening to create a bare soil perimeter and to ensure all embers were fully extinguished.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The LAFD has commended witnesses for their quick and accurate reporting of the incident, which allowed for a prompt response. As stated in the incident knockdown alert, "LAFD remains grateful to witnesses who promptly and accurately reported the fire," which aided the firefighters in their swift action to manage the fire and avert a larger crisis.
Firefighting resources from several stations, including FS 41 and Batt 5, teamed with air operations teams to address the brush fire. According to the LAFD, the coordinated response and strategy played a crucial role in the fast knockdown of the blaze. The LAFD's proactive approach to addressing brush fires, especially in areas like Runyon Canyon that are prone to such incidents, underscores the critical nature of preparedness and the community's role in fire safety.
