LAKE VIEW TERRACE, CA — A fast-moving brushfire ignited in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area on the night of March 14, 2022, at approximately 9:33 p.m., challenging Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) crews with gusty winds and dense vegetation. Reported at 10400 N. Glenoaks Boulevard, the blaze initially spanned just a quarter-acre but rapidly escalated as winds exceeding 20 miles per hour fanned the flames, ultimately consuming 2.5 acres before firefighters brought it under control.
LAFD units, dispatched from Fire Station 98 in Pacoima, arrived to find light flames flickering in medium-to-heavy brush near the dam’s recreational facilities. The fire, dubbed the Hansen Fire, quickly intensified as high-powered winds drove its spread across two fronts, threatening to encroach on nearby areas. By 10:10 p.m., the blaze was upgraded to greater-alarm status, prompting a robust response that included 95 firefighters, supported by Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) hand crews and water-dropping helicopters, according to LAFD spokesperson Brian Humphrey.
Aerial footage captured the flames illuminating the night sky, with helicopters making precise drops to slow the fire’s advance while ground crews worked tirelessly to establish containment lines. Despite the challenging conditions, firefighters halted the blaze’s forward progress within 99 minutes, fully containing it at 2.5 acres by 11:12 p.m. No structures were damaged, no evacuations were ordered, and no injuries were reported, a testament to the LAFD’s coordinated efforts.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with investigators considering factors such as dry vegetation and potential human activity near the recreation area. The Hansen Dam area, known for its dense brush and history of wildfires, has seen similar incidents in recent years, including a 4-acre blaze the previous evening on March 13, 2022, also contained by LAFD and LACoFD crews. The region’s vulnerability to wind-driven fires underscores the ongoing need for vigilance, especially during Southern California’s dry seasons.
As Lake View Terrace breathes a sigh of relief, the LAFD urges residents to maintain defensible space around properties and report suspicious activities that could spark fires. Firefighters remained on scene into the night, mopping up hotspots to ensure the blaze did not reignite.
