Brush fires originating in canyons and hills have become a primary focus for firefighters amid recent destructive blazes. (photo by Edwin Folven)

A brush fire that broke out late on Jan. 22 near the 405 Freeway was quickly contained by firefighters. The Sepulveda fire erupted at approximately 11 p.m., and an evacuation warning was issued for parts of Bel Air and Brentwood, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley said 60 fire engines and seven water-dropping helicopters were deployed to the fire. By 2 a.m., the fire was controlled and the evacuation warning was lifted. By Jan. 24, the fire was 100% contained, having burned 43 acres.

“I’m very glad to share with everybody that we were able to stop the forward progress of this fire around 1:30 this morning. That was through very well-coordinated ground and air resources in regard to how we stop this fire from getting into these local neighborhoods,” Crowley said on Jan. 23.

LAFD firefighters remained on the scene throughout the day on to extinguish hot spots. Crowley said the department utilized drones to search for potential flare ups.

“I’m very proud of our first responders, our LAFD members who worked the scene from the second that this fire broke out and then all the way through the incident … to the point where we stopped the advancement of the fire and we were able to safely lift that evacuation warning so our community members could get back to their homes,” she said.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky – who represents the 5th District, including Bel Air – said in a statement that she was grateful for the rapid response to the fire.

“I want to express my deep gratitude to LAFD, LAPD and first responders. The swift and coordinated response – deploying multiple engines and helicopters overnight – was instrumental in stopping the fire’s spread and protecting lives and homes,” Yaroslavsky said. “I’m also deeply grateful for their close communication with my team throughout the night. Together, we worked to provide real-time updates to residents, relying on community leaders to share accurate information quickly through WhatsApp groups and phone calls. This teamwork was critical in keeping our neighbors informed and safe.”

Although the fire did not impact Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Fire Chief Greg Barton said the BHFD monitored the blaze, as it does with all fires in the Los Angeles area.

“When that fire happened, I got a phone call about it. I was able to be in contact with the commanders there just to find out what was happening in case it did happen to affect Beverly Hills,” Barton said. “There was not a concern for Beverly Hills with that fire, and at that point there were so many resources in the area that the L.A. City Fire Department with all their firefighters were able to jump on it and really knock that down quickly.”

During the Palisades fire, many firefighters from the Beverly Hills Fire Department were deployed to the blaze to assist with the control efforts. The city of Beverly Hills has also implemented many proactive measures to prevent fire outbreaks within the city, including clearing excess brush and ensuring reservoirs are at full capacity. Barton said the city is exploring further preventative actions such as a potential city-wide evacuation drill this summer. He added that while the city and fire department have taken steps to prevent and control fires, it is essential for the community to take necessary steps to prepare for an emergency.

“There’s always a possibility of some type of catastrophic wildfire. However, the best thing that Beverly Hills is doing is the support [from] the council,” Barton said. “Anything that we need, the council will provide. They’re very good about ensuring public safety here in Beverly Hills.”

He added that Beverly Hills residents should take individual proactive steps in the event of a fire emergency.

“Residents need to be prepared. There used to be a fire season. Now, as you can see in the last few years, it’s a year-round concern,” he said. “Residents should always be prepared. They should have a go-bag ready to leave at a moment’s notice just in case … These fires are bringing that to light – it can happen quick, and you need to be prepared to evacuate … It is truly a team effort. It’s the fire department, the police department, all the city staff coming together – but it’s the residents as well. Them doing their part with their brush clearance and hardening their homes, that is so key to ensuring that any community can survive a wildfire.”