For breaking news and canyon access info visit the LAFD blog:
http://lafdalert.blogspot.com/

The Mandeville Brush fire is 80% contained and the area will continue to be monitored overnight. Check out some amazing photos taken by Mandeville resident Russ Martin here.

About the Fire
8:40pm, by Jamie Schwartzman

As of this writing, fire crews have substantial containment on the fire, with hotspots still burning around the Hollyhock trail area. The fire seems to have started in the smal canyon behind 3700 MCR, and spread upwards towards the trail on its way up to Kenter Ridge. The fire stayed on the east side of the canyon only. A combination of water dropping aircraft and ground crews seems to have prevented what could have been a serious wildfire. Temperatures were hot in the canyon, but fortunately winds were exremely light and humidity was high.

Neighbors gathered to offer support and waters to firemen who arived by the hundreds. A command post was setup at Merrimac, with most pf the fire operation established at 3701 MCR. A huge thanks to Doug & Ann Snyder for their hospitality.

A ladder truck was used to provide access to the ridge line by using the extention ladder as a "bridge". That provided crews easier access.

I rode up the Hollyhock trail to get a better view of the situation, and was able to see numerous hotspots still burning in inaccessible areas up above Hollyhock Canyon, below the Kentrer ridge trail. Helicopters were continuing to drop water on them into nightfall. Jackrabbits and wildlife were scurrying everwhere, and I could hear bigger game rustling in the leaves in the lower canyon floor. They must have fled the burned areas to unfamilair surroundings making them easy to spot.

As I rounded the second hill I met fire crews and observed the area. It's burned clean, typical of chapparal fires. Hikers in Hollyhock will be amazed to see how much material was consumed n this fire, and the newly revealed space. Walking the area I was amazed at how hot the ground still was, with burning coals all over the area.

A HUGE THANK YOU to firecrews from all over the area who responded intelligently and quickly. The work still isn't over. Maintain readiness in case hotspots flare up or winds shift.