Wind-Whipped Fire Burns 2 Acres

More than 100 firefighters extinguished a brush fire whipped by winds of up to 25 mph Friday morning, authorities said.

The fire, reported at 10 a.m., burned about two acres in Tujunga Wash north of Wentworth Street, Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Terrance Manning said. It was put out in about an hour.

There were no reported injuries or property damage, Manning said. The cause of the fire was under investigation, he said.

City, county and California Department of Forestry firefighters and three helicopters responded to keep the fire from threatening 20 nearby homes, authorities said. After extinguishing the fire, firefighters remained in the area for several hours looking for “hot spots.”

“This fire didn’t warrant this amount of resources, but the [hazard] potential did,” Manning said. “With increasing winds and low rainfall this season, there’s the potential for a very volatile brush season.”

To inform brush-area residents about fire hazards, the city will mail about 120,000 brochures starting next week. The colorful, informative brochures are a world away from the tersely worded letters threatening fines that turned off many residents last year.

“We know people want to comply and we wanted to make sure there is much more clarity in the process,” city Fire Deputy Chief Jimmy Hill said.

According to the mailers, grass, weeds and native brush must be cleared within 100 feet of structures and 10 feet of roadways. Grass and weeds must be cut to three inches and be kept 10 feet from combustible fences, as well as highways, streets, alleys and driveways.

Tree branches must be trimmed six feet from the ground and five feet from any roof. Properties that are still not in compliance during reinspections face a $218 fine.