A fast-moving brush fire burned approximately 40 acres in the hills above Burbank on Saturday afternoon, prompting evacuations before firefighters stopped its spread.
The Walnut Fire reportedly began around 3 p.m. after a vehicle crashed on Harvard Road, hitting a tree and catching fire. Flames quickly moved from the vehicle into dry brush and raced up the hillside.
Police officers drove through nearby neighborhoods using loudspeakers to warn residents of the danger. Evacuation orders were issued as flames approached homes on the opposite side of the ridge.
Employees and guests at the Castaway restaurant were told to remain inside as the fire burned nearby. A scheduled concert at the Starlight Bowl by the Fab Four was canceled because of the fire.
Firefighters from at least five agencies responded to the blaze and surrounded it with hose lines.
Helicopters from the Los Angeles City and Los Angeles County fire departments assisted crews working in the steep terrain. Light winds also helped firefighters gain control of the blaze.
By Saturday evening, the fire’s forward progress had been stopped and containment had reached approximately 70%. Evacuation orders were subsequently lifted.
One firefighter sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. No homes were destroyed, and no civilian injuries were reported.
The driver involved in the crash was questioned and released. Police continued investigating what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway.
Fire crews remain at the scene overnight, with full containment expected shortly.
