BLAZE THREATENS ENCINO HILLTOP HOMES.Byline: ANGIE VALENCIA-MARTINEZ Staff Writer ENCINO -- A brush fire blackened black·en v. black·ened, black·en·ing, black·ens v.tr. 1. To make black. 2. To sully or defame: a scandal that blackened the mayor's name. 3. 60 acres and briefly threatened a half-dozen hilltop homes Saturday before erratic winds shifted and pushed the blaze to a less-populated area, where it was contained, authorities said. More than 250 firefighters from as far away as San Pedro, along with five water-dropping helicopters, were deployed to fight the blaze, which was reported about 2:05 p.m. near Encino Reservoir. Although authorities did not call for any evacuations, some residents fled their homes with a few belongings. Others stayed and manned garden houses in their backyards. ``It was right in my backyard,'' said Gary Owens Gary Owens (born Gary Altman on May 10, 1936) is a disc jockey and voice actor born in Mitchell, South Dakota. His polished baritone speaking voice generally offers deadpan recitations of total nonsense, which he frequently demonstrated as the announcer on , the TV and radio personality known to millions as the voice of TV's ``Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.'' The fire also came within just a few feet of Helen Lewis' home, which was built by her late husband of 52 years. ``I got the hell out of there,'' said Lewis, 70. ``I thought my house was gone. I figured it was all over.'' But none of the homes was damaged, a fact Los Angeles Fire Department The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), also known as the Los Angeles City Fire Department to distinguish it from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Los Angeles. spokesman Brian Humphrey attributed to residents' brush-clearance efforts. He also said the department's leased Helitankers, bright-orange helicopters each capable of dropping 2,300 gallons of water or flame retardant Flame retardants are materials that inhibit or resist the spread of fire. Naturally occurring substances such as asbestos as well as synthetic materials, usually halocarbons such as polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorendic acid with pinpoint precision, helped firefighters get a handle on the blaze. ``We were able to hammer the head of the fire,'' he said. Humphrey noted that fire season is just beginning, and the scorching scorch v. scorched, scorch·ing, scorch·es v.tr. 1. To burn superficially so as to discolor or damage the texture of. See Synonyms at burn1. 2. days of September and October -- traditionally accompanied by Santa Ana winds Santa Ana Winds may refer to: 1. Santa Ana wind, a local Southern California reference to Föhn winds, a meteorological phenomenon occurring as a layer of wind is forced over a mountain range -- drying the air -- which then passes over the crest and begins to move downslope -- -- are still ahead. Last year's Topanga fire, which blackened 20,000 acres along the Los Angeles-Ventura county line, began Sept. 25, and most recent major Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. and Piru fires began in October 2003. ``There will be no more dress rehearsal dress rehearsal n. A full, uninterrupted rehearsal of a play with costumes and stage properties. dress rehearsal Noun 1. ,'' Humphrey said. ``This fire represents our long, steady march toward the peak of fire season with the arrival of this fall's Santa Ana winds.'' angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3699 CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- 2) Residents watch, above, as a Helitanker makes a water drop near an Encino home Saturday. Below, a helicopter makes a drop on a hot spot at the brush fire that burned 60 acres next to the Encino Reservoir. Mike Meadows/Special to Daily News |
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