Updated

Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 8

Burbank, Santa Clarita Brush Fires Trigger Evacuations as 20-Acre Walnut Fire Cancels Aug. 8 Concert

Updated

Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 8

Burbank, Santa Clarita Brush Fires Trigger Evacuations as 20-Acre Walnut Fire Cancels Aug. 8 Concert

Q: How did emergency crews conquer inaccessible terrain to halt the Santa Clarita flames before they consumed nearby neighborhoods?

Emergency crews checked the Santa Clarita fire by combining aircraft with ground operations tailored for terrain crews could not easily reach. Officials said the Tasha fire was burning in steep, rugged hills near Newhall Pass with limited access, so firefighters relied on both air and ground resources to slow its spread before it could push into nearby neighborhoods. Aerial resources, including helicopters and helitankers, dropped water and flame retardant on the brush, while crews on the ground worked the accessible flanks and structure-protection points near threatened communities. Additional heavy equipment was also reported in the response, including bulldozers, which are commonly used to improve access and cut fire lines in difficult terrain. That gave firefighters a way to contain movement on the ground where direct hand-crew access was limited. The strategy was paired with evacuation orders and warnings in Calgrove, Wildwood and surrounding zones, reducing risk to residents while crews focused on stopping forward spread. Later incident updates indicated the fire reached about 20 acres and was roughly 30% contained, suggesting the combined air-ground attack helped prevent the blaze from overrunning nearby neighborhoods.

3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 8

Evacuations were ordered Saturday around two Southern California brush fires — the Walnut fire in Burbank and the Tasha fire near Santa Clarita’s Newhall Pass.
About 20 acres had burned in Burbank near DeBell Golf Club and Wildwood Canyon Park, prompting closures at DeBell Restaurant and Golf Course, the Stough Canyon Nature Center and nearby hiking trails.
The Tasha fire was burning near Sierra Highway in steep, rugged terrain with limited access, where CalFire said ground and air crews were trying to slow the spread and protect nearby communities.
Calgrove and Wildwood were under evacuation orders, additional parts of the pass were under warnings, and Burbank’s Starlight Bowl concert scheduled for Aug. 8 was canceled as the fires remained active.