Brush Fire Shuts Down 118 Freeway In Granada Hills

LOS ANGELES, CA — Two brush fires -- both quickly extinguished -- were reported Tuesday along a section of the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in Granada Hills, snarling some traffic in the area, and a third brusher was reported about an hour later about five miles to the east, near the Hansen Dam Recreation area.

Just before 8 a.m., a half-acre brush fire was reported in heavy vegetation near the westbound Ronald Reagan Freeway at Hayvenhurst Avenue. At the same time, a smaller brusher was burning nearby.

The second fire southeast of the same freeway has been handled, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey. All westbound lanes of the Ronald Reagan Freeway will be closed in the immediate area until flames have been extinguished, added Humphrey. "Though LAFD helicopters have been added for aerial reconnaissance and command support, the LAFD ground crews will handle," he said.

Traffic was stopped on the westbound side of the freeway but traffic was allowed through on the eastbound side of the freeway. By about 9 a.m., both fires had been extinguished, and some traffic was being allowed through once again on the westbound side.

About 9 a.m., a quarter-acre brush fire was reported near the 11700 block of Foothill Boulevard near the Hansen Dam Recreation Area. No structures were threatened.

City News Service contributed to this report. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.