LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2008
SoCal Wildfire No Match For Firefighters
Early-Morning Blaze In Western Part Of Los Angeles Caused Freeway To Close
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A brush fire burns out of control in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles early Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
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Photo Essay Bel Air Wildfire A brush fire burns out of control in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles.
No buildings burned and there were no injuries.
The 100-acre fire was spotted shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday a couple of miles from the museum, which houses priceless art. Fire spokesman Ron Myers says about 400 firefighters aided by water-dropping helicopters put out the flames in about seven hours.
A knockdown was declared at 8:16 a.m. but fire crews were expected to work through the day mopping up hot spots.
The nearby San Diego Freeway was shut down for about four hours but reopened for the morning rush hour.
Authorities warned that the freeway could be closed again at any time if the fire flares up, and several onramps in the area remained closed.
No structures had burned and no one was injured, an official said.
More than 500 firefighters helped by 10 water-dropping helicopters were taking on the blaze, authorities said.
Despite its quick growth, the hot, dry winds that brought the fire's initial surge were diminishing, very little open flame was visible from television news helicopters.
The Getty Center, which houses one of the world's richest art collections and a research institute, was closed for the day as a precaution.
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