A brush fire erupted along the 405 Freeway near the Getty Center on Wednesday afternoon, sending a large plume of smoke over the Sepulveda Pass and prompting evacuation warnings as firefighters worked to contain the flames.
The fire, known as the Getty Fire, was reported at about 4:15 p.m. near Getty Center Drive in the Brentwood and Bel-Air area. Flames spread through dry vegetation on the hillside above the freeway, quickly drawing a large response from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
What began as an approximately five-acre fire grew to about 20 acres before reaching an estimated 25 acres. Firefighters brought in additional ground crews and aircraft, with multiple water-dropping helicopters assisting efforts to slow the flames and prevent the fire from spreading farther through the surrounding hills.
The location of the fire created an especially visible emergency for motorists traveling along the 405. Smoke could be seen rising over the Sepulveda Pass, while firefighters worked on the hillside near the freeway and the Getty Center.
Evacuation warnings were issued for two Genasys zones as a precaution, covering nearby areas where residents could have been affected if the fire’s forward progress continued. The warnings urged people in the affected areas to remain alert and be prepared to leave if conditions deteriorated.
The Getty Center was also evacuated and closed earlier than scheduled. Museum officials said visitors and staff were directed away from the property while firefighters monitored the situation. The museum’s collections and artwork were reported safe.
Despite the size and location of the blaze, officials reported no injuries and no structures damaged by the fire. Fire officials also reported that the fire’s forward progress had been stopped at approximately 6:12 p.m., after burning about 25 acres.
Around 185 Los Angeles firefighters remained on scene during the initial containment and mop-up operation, with assistance from Los Angeles County firefighters, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
The evacuation warnings were later lifted after fire officials determined that the immediate threat had diminished. Firefighters nevertheless remained in the area to search for hot spots and work toward full containment.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities have not indicated that the blaze was deliberately set, and no definitive cause had been announced in the latest updates.
The fire occurred as Southern California experienced very hot weather, conditions that can make dry vegetation more susceptible to rapid fire spread. The steep terrain around the Sepulveda Pass also presented challenges for crews working to reach and suppress the flames.
The 405 Freeway itself remained open during the response, although motorists in the area encountered smoke, emergency vehicles and firefighters operating near the roadway. Drivers were urged to use caution and remain aware of changing conditions.
The Getty Fire brought back memories of previous major fires in the hills surrounding the Getty Center, including the destructive 2019 Getty Fire. Wednesday’s blaze was significantly smaller, however, and firefighters were able to stop its forward movement before it caused reported structural damage.
Crews continued working after the flames were brought under control to ensure that remaining hot spots did not reignite or spread. Officials are expected to continue monitoring the area as the investigation into the fire’s origin proceeds.
As of the latest reports, there were no reported deaths or injuries connected to the 405 Freeway fire, and evacuation warnings had been lifted. The focus remained on completing containment and determining what caused the blaze near Getty Center Drive.
The incident serves as another reminder of the wildfire risks facing Los Angeles during periods of extreme heat and dry conditions, particularly in the brush-covered hills surrounding major transportation corridors and residential neighborhoods.
