Burbank brush fire prompts evacuations and trail closures

The Walnut Fire, a brush fire on the hillside above Burbank, prompted evacuation orders and trail closures on Saturday afternoon. The blaze was first reported in the 1500 block of E. Walnut Avenue near Wildwood Canyon Park and the DeBell Golf Club.

As of recent reports, the fire has burned approximately 20 acres. Evacuation orders were issued for the Stough Canyon Nature Center and the DeBell Restaurant and Golf Course. Nearby businesses, such as the Castaway restaurant, were instructed to shelter in place rather than evacuate. Additionally, a scheduled concert at the Starlight Bowl was canceled due to the fire response.

Firefighting efforts involve the Burbank Fire Department, the Angeles National Forest, and Verdugo Fire Academy crews, with aerial support from helicopters. While the cause of the fire has not been officially determined, unconfirmed reports suggested a potential connection to a vehicle crash near Harvard Road that occurred shortly before the fire was reported.