Firefighters Wednesday made quick work of a quarter-acre brush fire near the eastbound 134 Freeway in the Eagle Rock area, despite being hampered by the presence of a drone.
• PHOTOS: Drone complicates 134 Freeway brush fire fight
The non-injury blaze was reported about 10:25 a.m. in the 7500 block of Figueroa Street, which is just south of the freeway, and was extinguished in 40 minutes, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
“Though no helicopter water drops proved necessary, the presence of a hobby drone restricted the option of LAFD to use helicopters for fire attack, and limited their abilities for command support,” Humphrey said. “This hobby drone issue is being looked into by LAPD.”
Late Wednesday morning, the drone was found and the person who turned it over to police was released after being questioned, said LAPD Officer Aareon Jefferson.
Humphrey urged people to fly drones only in appropriate places.
“It’s a big planet,” Humphrey said. “No drones in fire zones.”
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire, which caused the Highway Patrol to close three eastbound freeway lanes as a precaution.
