Burbank brush fire grows to 20 acres

A brush fire in the hills above DeBell Golf Club in Burbank has consumed roughly 20 acres, officials said.

Water-dropping helicopters were brought in to assist ground crews trying to contain the fire -- first reported shortly after noon Monday -- as it moved through heavy brush in the hills above East Harvard Road and East Walnut Avenue.

Stough and Wildwood Canyon parks are also near by.

The fire started adjacent to the golf course and moved up the hillside, according to Burbank Fire Battalion Chief David Schmitt.

More than 100 firefighting personnel from multiple agencies had been assigned to the blaze, he added.

“The winds aren’t doing anything, which is good,” Schmitt said.

Golfers were still out on the nearby green at DeBell Golf Club, where an employee said smoke could be seen rising from the hills. While golfers had not been evacuated, no additional players were being allowed in.

Nate Powell continued to play golf through the fire and helicopter noise.

“I’m playing pretty good; I’m beating everybody,” said Powell, who grew up in Pacoima. “Where I grew up, we’re used to the helicopters and the noise.”

For Lynn Longos, who lives four blocks from the hill, the fire was a chance to practice her photography skills.

“If it was bigger, I’d be a little nervous,” she said. “I’m not that afraid of it at this point. I think they’ve got it under control.”

-- Jason Wells and Alene Tchekmedyian, jason.wells@latimes.com

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