Crews Take No Chances With Santa Susana Blaze

CHATSWORTH, CA — Los Angeles city and county firefighters took no chances Sunday in letting a wildfire near Chatsworth spread out of control. Both departments sent crews and equipment to help Ventura County firefighters battle a blaze that charred less than an acre near the the 118 Freeway.

The brushfire, which remains under investigation, that charred about a quarter acre of grass in steep terrain near the county border. Crews were taking no chances with the tinder-dry shrub in the area. The blaze broke out about 2:35 p.m. near the 7200 block of West Santa Susana Pass Road, city fire department spokeswoman Amy Bastman said.

That road was closed on the Simi Valley side of the pass, but the Simi Valley (118) Freeway remained open.

The Los Angeles city Fire Department sent 65 firefighters and equipment up to the blaze, Bastman said.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department sent a response team, including seven engines, three water-dropping helicopters and two planes, Dispatch Supervisor Bernard Peters said. All of the county resources were released from the scene at 3:30 p.m. with the exception of one fire engine, according to Peters.

No injuries were reported and no structures were threatened.

City News Service and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo courtesy of the Ventura County Fire Department