Water-dropping helicopters are attacking a stubborn brush fire that broke out Saturday afternoon on the north side of Mount Lee and cast thick smoke over Warner Bros. Studio and the Hollywood Hills area.
The brush fire started above Forest Lawn Drive on the San Fernando Valley side of Mount Lee, over the hill from the Hollywood sign. The fire was reported just before 2 p.m. and burned uphill in an area with heavy brush.
No structures are threatened. The nearest residential structures is the Oakwood Corporate Housing complex, located off Barham Boulevard to the west of the fire.
At least five water-dropping helicopters are hammering flames with precise drops. They’re refilling atop Mount Lee behind the Hollywood sign and at nearby Lake Hollywood Reservoir.
There are several firebreaks between the fire and nearby structures, including the Hollywood sign. Smoke could be seen towering over the sign from the Hollywood side of the mountain.
The slow-moving brush fire had reached 34 acres by 5:00 p.m. According to LAFD, forward progress of the fire had been stopped by 4:55 p.m. As of 6:oo p.m. the fire was at 15 percent containment. There are no winds in the area.
Smoke can be seen from miles around in the San Fernando Valley. More than 230 LAFD personnel were battling fire, according to LAFD. One firefighter was hurt.
The cause is unknown.
Photo Credit: NBCLA
Source: NBC Los Angeles
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