Full Breakdown
Getty Fire Ignites Along the 405 Freeway Near the Getty Center
9/10/2026, 7:28:25 AM
Core Event
A brush fire broke out on a hillside adjacent to the 405 Freeway near Getty Center Drive in Brentwood on Wednesday afternoon. Reported shortly after 4 p.m., the blaze grew from an estimated five acres to about 25 acres before forward progress halted around 6 p.m. The fire burned primarily on the southbound side of the freeway, prompting evacuation warnings for the area bounded by Promontory Road (north), Sunset Boulevard (south), the 405 Freeway (east) and Bundy Drive (west). The Getty Center closed to visitors and staff, though officials confirmed the art collections remained safe.
Background & Context
The incident occurred amid a heat wave that pushed temperatures in West Los Angeles toward 100 °F. The Sepulveda Pass, where the fire ignited, is a known hotspot for brush fires; a 2019 blaze in the same corridor burned more than 700 acres, and the 2017 Skirball Fire similarly threatened the area.
Data & Statistics
- Initial size: ~5 acres.
- Peak size: 20 acres (LAFD) – 25 acres (Cal Fire).
- Containment progress: Forward progress stopped around 6:12 p.m.–6:15 p.m.
- Resources deployed: Five fire engines, two water tenders, four hand crews, and a Chinook helicopter drawing water from Stone Canyon Reservoir.
- Personnel on scene: Approximately 180–185 firefighters for mop-up and containment.
- Evacuation zone: Encompasses Promontory Road, Sunset Boulevard, the 405 Freeway, and Bundy Drive; includes the Getty Center, Mount Saint Mary’s University Chalon campus, and nearby residences.
Official Statements & Responses
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on social media she was in contact with fire personnel and that the LAPD stood ready to assist with evacuations if needed. A Getty Center spokesperson confirmed the museum had been evacuated, the collections were secure, and staff were coordinating with fire officials.
On-the-Ground Reports
Mount Saint Mary’s University cancelled in-person classes at its Chalon campus around 5:30 p.m. and advised roughly 400 resident students to shelter in place. The Archer School for Girls, two miles south of the fire, reported that its students had not been evacuated but were being monitored. Traffic on the 405 remained open, and commuter trains serving the Getty Center continued operating.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Fire size: LAFD cited a peak of 20 acres; Cal Fire later reported about 25 acres.
- Time of first report: One outlet noted 4:15 p.m., another placed the sighting at 4:30 p.m.
- Containment numbers: No official containment percentage was released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The good news for this fire, it has not been wind-driven as it could potentially be,” — Lyndsey Lantz, spokesperson
What’s Next
Fire officials indicated crews would remain on scene for mop-up and containment, with evacuation warnings staying in effect until the area is declared safe. No further closures of the 405 Freeway were announced at the time of reporting.
