Firefighters gain control of blaze near Porter Ranch homes; evacuations halted
Los Angeles city firefighters were able to gain the upper hand over a brush fire that burned near Porter Ranch homes on Saturday afternoon, authorities said. After the fire began to burn about 3:40 p.m. at 18600 West Rinaldi Street, the blaze quickly charred through 5 acres, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. LAPD officers had begun to evacuate homes in the area as 135 firefighters on the ground and in the air battled the fire, fire authorities said. Within 20 minutes, fire crews slowed the progress of the fire, which no longer threatened homes. The evacuations were halted. The fire burned near Rinaldi Park, just north of the 118 Freeway where a large tract of homes is located. The fire department said their equipment and engines would be blocking several lanes in the area and advised drivers to find alternate routes.