UPDATE: Firefighters Battle Brush Fire in Bell Canyon

The Los Angeles City Fire Department used three water-dropping helicopters and at least 50 firefighters to assist Ventura County firefighters knockdown a brush fire in Bell Canyon, just west of the city limits near Chatsworth.

The flames inside the canyon were reported about 3 p.m., according to fire department spokesman Erik Scott. A knockdown was declared about 53 minutes later, Scott said.

The command post was set up about a mile into Ventura County, at Bell Canyon Road and Flintlock Lane, Scott said.

Firefighting efforts were combined under a unified command, with Ventura County taking the lead, he said.

In addition to the three water-dropping helicopters provided by the city, the Ventura County Fire and Los Angeles County Fire departments provided a water-dropping helicopter for the battle, Scott said.

The fire burned through about an acre of medium brush, where there is no street access, which temporarily hampered ground attacks on the fire, Scott said.

No injuries were reported and no structures were threatened, Scott said.

- City News Service