Brush fire ignites near Burbank homes, triggers swift evacuation orders

A fast-moving brush fire broke out in the hills of Burbank, Los Angeles County, on Tuesday afternoon, June 10, 2025, prompting evacuation orders near residential neighborhoods. The Burbank Fire Department first reported the blaze—dubbed the Bethany Fire—shortly after 3:30 p.m. in the area of Amherst Drive and Bethany Road. According to local fire officials, the fire rapidly expanded to approximately 8 acres, burning through dry hillside vegetation and threatening nearby homes by 4:00 p.m.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for residents north of Bel Aire Drive and west of Walnut Avenue, as well as for neighborhoods adjacent to DeBell Golf Club. Local authorities also announced evacuation warnings for homes above Magnolia Boulevard near Kenneth Road. All hiking trails above Burbank, including Wildwood Canyon and the Stough Nature Center, were closed due to fire activity. The Burbank Police Department urged any hikers in the area to evacuate immediately.

Officials designated McCambridge Recreation Center, located at 1515 N. Glenoaks Boulevard, as the primary evacuation site for displaced residents.

What happened in Burbank on June 10?

The Bethany Fire was first reported at approximately 3:30 p.m. by emergency personnel responding to smoke in the hillside brush above residential zones in Burbank. Firefighters from the Burbank Fire Department were quickly joined by units from the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were deployed to conduct aerial water drops while ground crews worked to protect homes and cut containment lines.

As of Tuesday evening, officials reported that the fire had charred between 8 and 10 acres of brush, largely within steep terrain above Burbank neighborhoods. There were no immediate reports of structural damage or injuries, but fire officials warned that embers carried by the wind could ignite spot fires, underscoring the need for continued vigilance.

By 7:00 p.m., officials reported that forward progress of the fire had been stopped and that containment lines were holding. Evacuation orders for some areas were lifted later that night, although fire crews remained on scene to monitor hot spots and assess for flare-ups.

Why was this area vulnerable to brush fire activity?

The hillsides surrounding Burbank form part of the larger wildland-urban interface that stretches across much of Southern California. This zone, where dense residential development meets natural vegetation, is particularly susceptible to fast-moving brush fires—especially in late spring and summer when dry grasses and light fuels dominate the landscape.

Although June is not typically peak fire season in Southern California, a combination of record-dry conditions and intermittent winds contributed to elevated fire danger. According to LA County fire officials, vegetation moisture levels in the Burbank hills had fallen significantly following a drier-than-average April and May, creating prime conditions for ignition.

The Bethany Fire is the latest in a string of early-season blazes in the region. In January 2025, the Palisades and Eaton fires burned over 50,000 acres in western Los Angeles County, displacing thousands of residents and prompting renewed calls for better preparedness in urban-adjacent communities.

How did authorities respond to the fire?

Fire suppression efforts were led by the Burbank Fire Department, with mutual aid provided by the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department. Within minutes of the fire’s ignition, resources were dispatched to the scene, including engines, hand crews, air tankers, and helicopters. Aerial footage captured by local news outlets showed helicopters making repeated water drops over steep hillsides above Bel Aire Drive.

The Burbank Police Department issued mandatory evacuation orders shortly after 4:00 p.m. and coordinated resident relocation efforts through McCambridge Recreation Center. Officers conducted door-to-door notifications in high-risk zones and cordoned off all access to hiking trails, including Wildwood Canyon and the area around Stough Nature Center.

According to fire officials quoted by NBC Los Angeles, quick interagency coordination and public compliance with evacuation orders were crucial in preventing damage to homes and limiting firefighter exposure.

What fire safety policies apply to Burbank’s hillside areas?

Like many municipalities within Los Angeles County, Burbank has adopted a tiered fire risk zoning system. Properties located in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) are required to maintain defensible space around structures, clear dry brush, and comply with ember-resistant building codes. These regulations are enforced annually by fire inspectors, especially ahead of the traditional fall fire season.

Tuesday’s fire highlighted the importance of these policies, as homes with defensible space were more easily protected by firefighters navigating narrow hillside roads. Firefighters also credited recent investments in vegetation management—including fuel breaks and brush clearing conducted by city contractors along the Wildwood Canyon ridgeline—for improving access and slowing fire spread.

What are local officials saying about the incident?

In a statement issued Tuesday evening, a spokesperson for the Burbank Fire Department said that containment lines were holding and that no structures had been damaged. The spokesperson confirmed that aerial support played a critical role in halting the fire’s advance into residential areas.

A Burbank Police Department representative said that residents had been cooperative with evacuation orders, which enabled first responders to move quickly and focus on containment. The department also emphasized that all trail closures would remain in effect until fire investigators and public works teams determined that the area was safe for public use.

Los Angeles County Fire Department officials added that the fire served as a reminder of the importance of early-season readiness, especially in areas with high visitor traffic like the Stough Nature Center.

What happens next after containment?

As of late Tuesday, June 10, fire officials reported that the Bethany Fire was approximately 80% contained. Crews are expected to remain on scene for at least another 24 to 48 hours to mop up hot spots and conduct damage assessments. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The city of Burbank will likely review the response as part of a broader post-incident analysis, with particular attention to emergency notification systems and trail management policies. Officials may also consider new public outreach campaigns to prepare hillside communities for fast-moving wildfires earlier in the season than usual.

Environmental crews will monitor the impacted hillside for soil erosion and vegetation loss, especially along steep trails frequented by hikers. Local leaders have not yet announced a timeline for reopening closed recreation areas.

Is the risk over for Burbank residents?

While the immediate threat from the Bethany Fire appears to be under control, fire officials are warning residents not to become complacent. With summer approaching and dry conditions persisting, fire activity could resume with little notice.

Residents are advised to sign up for city-wide emergency alerts, create evacuation plans, and maintain defensible space around their homes. Those living near Wildwood Canyon or in areas designated as VHFHSZ should expect ongoing inspections and outreach from the Burbank Fire Department in the weeks ahead.

The Bethany Fire in Burbank was a high-stakes reminder that wildfire danger is no longer confined to late summer. In just a few hours on June 10, a small brush fire turned into a multi-agency emergency operation, threatening homes and closing off key recreation areas. Prompt evacuations, aerial support, and strategic preparedness helped avert a larger disaster.

As climate variability increases the volatility of fire seasons, hillside communities in Los Angeles County will continue to face heightened risks. For Burbank residents, the lessons from the Bethany Fire may shape community resilience for seasons to come.