Two small fires erupted in Runyon Canyon this week, raising safety concerns among residents in the Hollywood Hills area. The first fire ignited along the popular trail on Monday night, while a second fire occurred about 200 yards away early Thursday morning. These incidents mark the seventh fire in the area this year, prompting fears of a larger blaze in the future.
Residents have expressed their worries about potential threats, especially as the dry season approaches. “If this is happening four months from now, when everything is dried out and the winds are blowing hard, that would be really bad,” said local resident Travis Fields. Another resident, Tiffany Gudkova, emphasized the risk, stating, “The brush is super dry. We could all go up in flames.”
In response to the fires, a new community group called the Runyon Canyon Guardians has formed to enhance vigilance. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is investigating the cause of the fires, though they have yet to determine whether they were accidental or intentional. A previous incident involved a suspected arsonist, who was apprehended by hikers less than two weeks ago.
Councilmember Nithya Raman’s office has committed additional funding to strengthen security measures in the area, including increased patrols by Park Rangers and collaboration with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Security Services Division. The community is encouraged to report potential fire hazards and use the what3words app to assist first responders in locating incidents quickly.
Battalion Chief Patrick Leonard reported that the LAFD responded swiftly to the fires, which were extinguished without any injuries or threats to structures. According to FOX 11, the fires have been classified as undetermined, with no specific signs of homeless activity or encampment involvement.
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