Walnut Fire in Burbank (Photo – UCSD)
Firefighters are battling a brush fire on the hillside above Burbank Saturday afternoon, with evacuation orders issued for several nearby locations as crews work to contain the flames.
By News Desk
The Walnut Fire was first reported in the 1500 block of E. Walnut Avenue near DeBell Golf Club and Wildwood Canyon Park. In its latest update, fire crews estimated the blaze had burned approximately 40 acres and was 70% contained.
Firefighters from the Angeles National Forest are assisting the Burbank Fire Department with the response. Crews are also responding near the 1200 block of Harvard Road.
Smoke from the fire could be seen billowing into the sky from a nearby neighborhood.
According to the City of Burbank, evacuation orders that had been issued earlier in the day have now been lifted. Evacuation warnings remain in effect for Churches Court and Country Club Drive.
One firefighter was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries that were not considered life-threatening, according to city officials.
The forward spread of the fire had been halted by approximately 7:10 pm, as firefighters continued working to strengthen containment lines around the blaze.
Fire crews planned to stay on the fire lines overnight as they continued efforts to secure the perimeter. Full containment was expected by the end of the day Sunday.
According to the City of Burbank, hiking trails in the area are closed until further notice.
The Starlight Bowl concert scheduled for Saturday has also been canceled due to the fire response.
A traffic crash was reported near 1200 E. Harvard Road approximately three minutes before the fire was initially reported. It is unclear whether the crash is connected to the fire or whether it played any role in starting the blaze.
Officials have not indicated that the cause of the fire has been determined.
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