Burbank-based movie and TV studios and the Universal Studios Tour theme park remained unaffected as a growing brush fire continues to spread, threatening homes in the area.
The fire is what Mayor Eric Garcetti called the largest fire in “LA City history,” in terms of acres involved.
“We can’t recall anything larger,” said a fire department official at a press conference held Saturday morning.
According to the LA Times, the fire, which began in La Tuna Canyon Park and has since been called the La Tuna Fire, has grown to 5,000 acres.
A spokesperson from the Universal park said that the attractions remain open as normal, but air quality is less than desirable. He said you can smell ash.
Burbank Studios, Warner Bros. and ABC remain open. A spokesperson from ABC said regarding an interruption or halt in production, “we are not aware of any at this time.” A Warner Bros. publicist told TheWrap that they haven’t heard of any changes.
Garcetti said in a press conference that firefighters are “aggressively putting the fire out” but that officials are continuing to evaluate how it’s spreading. Priorities lie in trying to protect properties and homes as the blaze remains around 10 percent contained.
Officials also encouraged all homeowners to clear the brush and to give fire fighters “a chance to save your house.”
The Los Angeles Fire Department said early Saturday that strong gusting winds made the brush fire unpredictable. It also said that the fire was continuing to spread “in 4 different directions.”
The fire department issued mandatory evacuation orders in the Bryce Canyon Park area of Burbank. A statement issued said that there were around 50 homes were threatened.
https://twitter.com/LAFD/status/903883070817746944
Currently there are road closures at Sunset Canyon and Walnut Ave., and Sunset and Harvard Rd.
About 500 firefighters from multiple counties are working to contain the blaze. Officials added that approximately 100 firefighters were sent to Houston to help with Hurricane Harvey and aren’t back yet.