LAFD Battles Stubborn Underground Fire in Encino Athletic Fields

Underground Fire in Encino

• 🚒 LA City firefighters are battling a stubborn fire that started underground near baseball fields in Encino.
• ⚠️ The fire is burning inside a tunnel that runs underneath the parking lot of the athletic fields, making it difficult to access.
• 🏠 Firefighters are unsure of the exact cause but suspect it may have originated from a homeless encampment warming fire that got out of control.

Structural Concerns and Safety

• 🚧 The structural integrity of the parking lot is a major concern, and an assessment will be needed once the fire is extinguished.
• 🚗 No cars are currently allowed in the parking lot due to the ongoing fire and structural concerns.

Unique Firefighting Challenges and Equipment

• 💨 Residents in nearby areas like Van Nuys and Sherman Oaks may be smelling creosote, a dark brown oil used as a wood preservative, which is present in the wooden beams supporting the parking lot.
• 🤖 Firefighters are utilizing a remote suppression unit (RS3), a robot capable of spraying water and foam, to reach areas inaccessible to humans.
• 🚜 The robot will be lowered into a wash by an excavator to access the tunnel and apply foam and water, helping to keep firefighters safe from the dangerous conditions.
• 🧯 The use of foam is anticipated to be crucial in fighting this fire due to the oil-soaked wooden beams.