Firefighters Clean Up Tujunga Blaze

About 30 Los Angeles firefighters on Friday mopped up the arson fire that raged near the Foothill Freeway a day earlier, soaking smoldering brush with water and digging up roots to prevent them from reigniting.

Authorities said they have no suspects in the fire, which charred more than 250 acres of brush and forced the evacuation of about 150 homes.

Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Bob Collis said the blaze was intentionally set but declined to give any details on how it was started.

The fire started about noon along La Tuna Canyon Road near the freeway. Collis urged anyone who might have information on the fire to call (213) 485-6095.

Collis said ground crews tore out roots and soaked stumps Friday and will continue that work today.

“People might be concerned because there’s still some smoke, and there’s still an odor,” Collis said. “But there’s no cause for concern.”

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Although the fire threatened hillside homes worth more than $300,000, none were burned and no one was injured, authorities said.

Authorities said the fire was the area’s worst since the 1950s, when a Los Angeles firefighter died battling a blaze.