Crime & Safety
210 Freeway Reopens After Fires Erupted Near Sunland
From City News Service
All lanes of the Interstate 210 Freeway eastbound have reopened after a series of spot fires ignited along the right shoulder Thursday afternoon.
The fires ignited next to the Hansen Dam Recreation Area around 4:40 p.m. near the Wheatland Avenue interchange, closing the eastbound freeway during the afternoon commute. Another fire was spotted farther east, near Sunland Boulevard.
Los Angeles firefighters reported three or four separate fires had erupted. A spotter in a helicopter told ground crews that the fires were likely caused by a truck dragging a chain or shredded piece of tire.
By 4:55 p.m., eastbound traffic had stopped due to heavy smoke on the freeway, at the eastern end of the San Fernando Valley. Crews were cutting lines to the south, in heavy brush along the Tujunga Wash.
No structures were apparently threatened.
Aaron Castrejon contributed to this article.