Tujunga Brush Fire Burns 9 Acres

A brush fire that may have been ignited by illegal fireworks burned nine acres on Wednesday and briefly threatened about a dozen homes, according to Fire Department officials.

More than 100 firefighters were assisted by four helicopters that dropped water onto the flames. The blaze began about 1:45 p.m. in the 9700 block of Samoa Avenue in Tujunga. Firefighters scrambled up the hillside and were able to contain the blaze within an hour, said Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Bill Ward.

“If we had had [Santa Ana] winds, it would have been a serious condition,” jeopardizing homes on the hillside, Ward said.

Some residents weren’t taking any chances. Hyko Krippendorf, who lives on Saint Estaban Street, rushed home after seeing the smoke from his nearby business office. He was busily hosing down his roof as a precaution in case the fire shifted direction.

“The smoke was blowing in this direction,” he said. “We had a fire about eight months ago but not this close. It looks like we can take it little easier now.”

No evacuation was necessary and no homes were damaged. One Glendale firefighter suffered first- and second-degree burns to his hand and was taken to an area hospital, where he is in good condition.

Firefighters suspect the blaze was sparked by fireworks but the investigation is continuing, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said.

“To think anyone would light fireworks in this neighborhood is frightening,” he said.