On Friday evening, residents of Pacoima found themselves defending their properties against a sudden grass fire. The blaze broke out at around 5:30 p.m. on a hillside near the 12500 block of West Chanute Street. Quick to react, some residents began hosing down the hillside as firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department were dispatched to the scene, KTLA reported.
By the time the firefighters arrived, the fire had consumed half an acre, nestled between Whiteman Air Park and the residences along Chanute Street and Empire Drive. The fire was described as 'topography driven' due to its movement along the hills and the low winds, which thankfully, posed no immediate threat to the adjacent structures. This information came to light in an LAFD alert, indicating there were no injuries at the time.
The fire expanded to approximately three acres before the LAFD successfully halted its escalation around 6:45 p.m. According to a subsequent LAFD alert, ground crews initiated a progressive hose lay near Airpark Way to tackle the ascending flames, while structure protection teams controlled the blaze at the top of the slope, preventing any damage to homes. The northwest part of the fire that moved into heavier brush and steeper terrain needed further management and cooling, prompting the LAFD to request drone assistance for aerial reconnaissance.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, as crews continued their work to mop up hotspots and secure full containment of the affected area. The winds stayed calm through the ordeal, and, although the fire's proximity to homes could have spelled disaster, the situation was kept in check with no reported structural damage or personal injuries. These details were shared in the coverage provided by KTLA.
