A fast-moving brush fire burned about 25 acres Wednesday afternoon near the Getty Center and the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles before firefighters stopped its forward progress.
The Getty Fire was reported shortly after 4:15 p.m. on September 9 in the Sepulveda Pass near Getty Center Drive. Flames spread through heavy brush on the hills above the freeway and sent a large column of smoke across the area. Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded on the ground while helicopters made repeated water drops.
The fire grew quickly during its first hour. LAFD initially estimated the blaze at about five acres. It later expanded to around 20 acres and then reached an estimated 25 acres.
Firefighters stopped the forward progress of the Getty Fire at about 6:12 p.m. Wednesday. About 185 LAFD personnel remained at the scene afterward to put out hot spots and begin containment work. Los Angeles County firefighters also assisted along with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Water and Power.
Evacuation warnings were issued for zones LFD-0895 and LFD-0967. The warnings covered areas near the Getty Center and parts of the surrounding hills. Residents in those zones were told to be prepared to leave if conditions became worse. People who need more time to evacuate were advised to leave early.
The warning area was roughly bordered by Promontory Road to the north and Sunset Boulevard to the south. The 405 Freeway formed the eastern side of the warning area while Bundy Drive marked the western side. The Getty Center was inside the affected area.
The Getty Center closed early because of the fire. Aerial video showed flames moving across the hillside near the museum complex while helicopters attacked the fire from above. Smoke also moved through the Sepulveda Pass and toward the San Fernando Valley.
No injuries or structural damage were reported as firefighters gained control of the blaze Wednesday evening. Early in the response, LAFD said no structures were immediately threatened.
The cause of the Getty Fire remains under investigation. Fire officials had not announced what started the blaze as of Wednesday evening.
The fire broke out during very hot weather across Southern California. Temperatures in large parts of the region climbed above 100 degrees Wednesday. The heat increased concerns about how quickly dry vegetation could burn if another fire started.
CAL FIRE listed the Getty Fire at 25 acres Wednesday evening. The incident is being handled by the Los Angeles Fire Department rather than CAL FIRE. The statewide fire agency continued to list it among California’s active incidents.
Stopping forward progress means firefighters have prevented the flames from continuing to spread beyond the existing fire area. It does not mean the fire is fully contained or extinguished. Crews were expected to continue working through the burned area to find hot spots and strengthen the perimeter.
The Getty Fire is burning in an area with a history of wildfire danger. Another fire with the same name burned hundreds of acres in the same general part of Los Angeles in 2019. The current Getty Fire is a separate incident.
Residents near the fire should continue to follow official LAFD evacuation information because conditions and warnings can change quickly.
