Officials: Hillside blaze is nearly 100% contained

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — A blaze that consumed 60 acres of brushy hillside along Glendale-Eagle Rock border was nearly 100% contained within the original fire zone Wednesday afternoon as crews worked throughout the day to put out hot spots near homes, officials said.

Helicopters continued to drop water on the hot spots as Caltrans reopened the Glendale (2) Freeway connector from the Ventura (134) Freeway.

“In some areas, the fire is still spotting,” Glendale Fire Capt. Vincent Rifino said.

A 100% containment within the fire line doesn’t mean the blaze is out, he added.

A few stubborn flare ups blazes started Wednesday outside the fire line, and crews were still trying to knockdown the hot spots. The steep terrain has proven to be challenging for fire crews, who are unable to reach some flare-ups. Fire crews relied on water drops from helicopters to help put out the hot spots.

“We are still trying to get a handle on this thing,” Rifino said.

The fire started just after 4 p.m. Tuesday on the hillside near the 2 and 134 freeway junction, then jumped the mountain and came within several feet of homes in Glenoaks Canyon.

No one was injured in the fire, and no structures were burned, officials said.

Nearly 300 firefighters from Glendale, Burbank, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Montebello, Alhambra and South Pasadena battled the blaze and sprayed water on homes to protect them from flying embers.

The only two injuries reported Tuesday within the fire zone, which were not directly related to the fire, occurred when two residents were bitten by the others’ dogs during a canine tussle on Glenoaks Boulevard, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

Fire and police officials called for voluntary evacuations Tuesday and shut down access to Glenoaks Canyon for several hours.

Glenoaks Canyon residents only were allowed to return to their homes at 10 p.m. Tuesday and full access to the canyon opened at 1 a.m. Wednesday, Lorenz said.

Many residents were frustrated about not being able to get to their Glenoaks Canyon homes to retrieve personal belongings during the fire, he said.

But the road had to be closed to allow firefighters direct access to head off the fast-moving blaze, Lorenz said.

“They are going to have to be patient,” he advised residents.

If another blaze occurs, Lorenz said residents, who are not home and are concerned about family trapped in the fire zone, should call the Police Department and report their concerns.