Homes in Hollywood Hills evacuated after mud, debris begins to slide down hill

HOLLYWOOD HILLS, Calif. (FOX 11) - Authorities may have lifted evacuations in the Hollywood Hills, but four homes on Courtney Terrace and Stanley Avenue have been yellow-tagged after two small mudslides struck the area.

Firefighters were called out to the 1800 block of Stanley Avenue at about 9 a.m. Thursday after construction crews noticed the ground was moving underneath the scaffolding at the construction site.

Steps below, the hillside also gave way underneath the pool of a nearby home. Crews spray painted parts of the retaining wall.

"And that allows us to determine what cracks are visible upon our initial arrival, therefore when new cracks form... We know that there's been movement and we are able to gain that potential danger," said Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Erik Scott.

Residents in the area are concerned about mega-mansions being built on aging and potentially unstable hillsides. Area resident Courtney Reid blamed the city for the problem. The mayor's office responded with the following statement:

"The City has experienced engineers and other experts who take every possible step to ensure that any approved construction project is safe."

Four homes remain yellow-tagged meaning residents are allowed to return inside but with restrictions.