Encino Fire Burns Underground in Storm Drain, Affecting Athletic Fields

Underground Fire in Encino

• 🚒 LA City firefighters are battling a fire that broke out underground in a storm drain near baseball and softball fields in Encino.
• ⚠️ The fire started around 5:40 AM and created a dangerous situation due to the inability to see into the dark tunnel.
• 💡 The suspected cause is a warming fire from a homeless encampment that escalated.

Firefighting Efforts and Technology

• 🤖 LA City Fire's RS3 robot was deployed to push water and foam further into the tunnel and reach the fire's origin.
• 🎥 The robot provided high-definition video feedback to crews, acting as eyes inside the tunnel.
• 🛠️ The robot experienced a technical issue and became stuck on wooden beams, requiring retrieval.

Odor and Environmental Impact

• 👃 Residents in areas like Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Calabasas, and Tarzana reported smelling an odor.
• 🪵 The smell is identified as creosote, a wood preservative used on the wooden support beams beneath the parking lot.

Impact on Athletic Fields

• ⚾ The softball season for girls ages 4-17 has just begun, but the parking lot is now indefinitely closed.
• 🚧 An assessment is needed to determine the structural integrity of the parking lot due to the fire burning beneath it.
• 🚫 Cars are not allowed, and people are being kept away from the area until inspectors can evaluate the damage.