La Tuna Fire: 500 Acres Burned As Evacuations Underway (UPDATE)

MONTROSE, CA – The so-called La Tuna fire has now burned 500 acres and is threatening 50 homes, according to the LAPD.

Precautionary evacuations are underway in Reverie and Haines Canyon with roughly 200 homes evacuated. The evacuation center is Verdugo Hills High School on Plainview Avenue in Tujunga, according to the LAPD.

The 210 Freeway will remain closed. Currently, there are about 260 Los Angeles firefighters battling the blaze in addition to a significant number from nearby departments. The current temperature in the area is 106 degrees with winds blowing at 11 mph.

The 210 Freeway is currently closed in both directions at La Tuna Canyon Road in the Sun Valley area due to a growing brush fire. Structure-protection units are being called in. The Los Angeles County Fire Department is sending crews to assist with that brush fire. Crews are working to prevent the flames from jumping the 210 Freeway, saying the blaze has the potential to scorch 2,000 acres if it crosses the highway.

About a dozen homes in roughly the 8300 block of La Tuna CanyonRoad are being threatened by that brush fire burning in the Sun Valley area. The Burbank Fire Department has also dispatched crews to assist in battling the flames.The brush fire is now spotting north of the Foothill 210 Freeway amid swirling winds, with a spot fire burning near Oro Vista Roadin Tujunga.

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Image via Shutterstock