Brush fire scorches 10 acres in Burbank hills, prompting police to warn hikers to leave Wildwood Canyon trails

A 10-acre brush fire erupted in the hills above Sunset Canyon Drive in Burbank on Wednesday afternoon, triggering voluntary evacuations and a stern warning from police ordering hikers to leave the area.

Residents of up to 75 homes on Country Club Drive were asked to evacuate due to the slow-moving blaze, reported shortly before 4 p.m., said Burbank police Lt. Claudio Losacco.

About two hours later, police said evacuation orders were lifted and Country Club Drive was reopened to traffic.

“It is under control,” said Burbank Fire Battalion Chief Ron Barone, adding that Los Angeles city and county firefighters responded with four water-dropping helicopters. “Things are looking real good.”

About 4:15 p.m., Burbank police issued an “urgent message” asking hikers to leave Wildwood Canyon trails.

“This is an urgent message to anyone currently in or near the Wildwood Canyon area, including the Stough Nature Center, to leave the area immediately,” police wrote on Twitter.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @AleneTchek

UPDATES:

6:35 p.m.: This article was updated with more information about the fire.

4:50 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details about the size of the blaze and voluntary evacuations.

This article was originally published at 4:35 p.m.