A wildfire ignited early Thursday morning in Bel-Air, situated on the eastern side of the 405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass. The fire spread uphill toward Sepulveda Fire Road, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds.
According to Todd Hall, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, winds in the area ranged from 8 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph. The relative humidity was alarmingly low, hovering between 3% and 8%, creating the perfect environment for the fire to grow rapidly.
Emergency response was swift, with multiple fire engines arriving at the scene. Firefighting helicopters were deployed to drop water on the flames and refilled their tanks at the nearby Stone Canyon Reservoir.
Reports of the fire first emerged shortly after 11 p.m. on Wednesday. Within less than two hours, at approximately 12:50 a.m., the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported that the blaze had expanded to 20 acres with 0% containment. Around the same time, television footage showed the fire beginning to lose momentum, with its glow appearing to diminish.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to contain the fire and prevent further spread in these challenging conditions. Residents are reminded to stay alert and follow any evacuation orders or safety advisories.
