Homeless campfire blaze sparks brush fire near Hansen Dam

LOS ANGELES - Fire crews knocked down a 3-acre brush fire that allegedly began as a warming fire at a large homeless encampment early Monday morning in Sylmar, officials said. 

Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters were called to the 11700 block of West Foothill Boulevard near the intersection of Osbourne Street at 12:54 a.m. Monday. The fire ignited in a grassy area that was difficult for fire crews to access. Firefighters were unable to use water from their trucks due to a narrow road, fire officials said. 

A firefighter used an ATV to reach the fire and reported there was a large homeless encampment where the fire was burning. 

The brush fire slowed by moisture from morning fog that spread slowly in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area in Lakeview Terrace, authorities said.

While the damp conditions were slowing down the fire, they also grounded aircraft that would be used to attack the flames, LAFD Spokesman Nicholas Prange said.

The fire was contained at about 11:30 a.m., fire officials said.

No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. 
 

CNS contributed to this report.