Remaining evacuation orders lifted for Sunset fire in the Hollywood Hills

Remaining Sunset fire evacuation orders in the Hollywood Hills were lifted early Thursday morning, Jan. 9, after crews spent the night keeping an eye out for flare-ups.

The blaze broke out between Runyon Canyon and Wattles Park around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the latest in a series of wind-driven fires that have devastated large swaths of Los Angeles County in recent days.

Aerial water drops and aggressive firefighting by crews on the ground allowed firefighters within hours to get a quick handle on the blaze, which was located near closely packed homes in Hollywood Heights and West Hollywood.

At the height of the fire, several roads were closed, including Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea Avenue and Crescent Heights Boulevard. Los Angeles Police Department units were sent to the area to handle traffic control.

Most of the areas initially evacuated due to the fire were re-opened just before midnight.

The exception was the area north of Franklin Avenue from Camino Palmero Street to the east and North Sierra Bonita Avenue to the west was kept closed longer so fire crews could watch for potential flare ups in the vegetation in the area.

The Los Angeles Fire Department at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday announced the lifting of that remaining evacuation order.

Fire officials cautioned residents to be careful while returning to their homes, since crews are still working in the area.

The Sunset fire is believed to have burned 60 acres, according to the latest estimates by fire officials. There was no word about the cause of the blaze.