Downed Power Lines Ignite Fires, Force Winnetka Avenue Closure

LOS ANGELES, CA — High-voltage electric lines along Winnetka Avenue were knocked down, causing a handful of brush fires and forcing the closure of the busy street Tuesday afternoon.

The high-voltage electric lines were down on the east side of Winnetka Avenue between Sherman Way and Vanowen Street shortly before 1 p.m., according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

"Residents are asked to widely avoid any downed wires, and to treat them as energized and deadly," said Humphrey. "Motorists: expect congestion and delay."

He advised drivers to avoid the area and consider alternate routes until cleanup operations are complete.

Heavy wind gusts may have been to blame for the downed lines, but fire officials could not confirm the cause Tuesday

"Though there have been strong winds in the area, the LAFD does not formally determine the cause of downed wires," added Humphrey.