One of Southern California’s worst morning commutes became even more chaotic on Monday morning due to the Getty Fire.
A stretch of the southbound 405 Freeway was shut down for hours through the Sepulveda Pass as firefighters battled the destructive blaze, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Lanes reopened shortly after 6 p.m., according to CHP.
Southbound traffic was being diverted onto the 101 Freeway, CHP tweeted shortly after 10 a.m.
All on- and off-ramps on the southbound 405 were closed between the 101 Freeway and Sunset Boulevard.
The northbound side remained opened throughout, and traffic is flowing normally in that direction.
The fire has created a traffic nightmare for motorists trying to get from the San Fernando Valley to L.A.’s westside.
Canyon roads can be used as alternates to avoid the Sepulveda Pass, including Coldwater Canyon Avenue, Laurel Canyon and Beverly Glen boulevards.
A number of local roads in the area have also been shut down.
Current road closures:
🚧 Sunset / Monaco
🚧 Sunset / Mandaville
🚧 Sunset / Rockingham
🚧 Sunset / Bristol
🚧 Sunset / Kanter
🚧 Sunset / Bundy
🚧 Sunset / Barrington
🚧 Sunset / Chautauqua
🚧 Sepulveda / Mountaingate@LAFD @LAPDHQ @ReadyLA @LACity @MikeBoninLA #GettyFire— LADOT (@LADOTofficial) October 28, 2019
The Getty Fire erupted just north of Sunset on the west side of the 405 Freeway about 1:30 a.m. The 500-acre blaze has burning at least five structures and is threatening thousands of others.
A large area spanning from Brentwood to the Pacific Palisades is under an evacuation order as firefighters try to grip on the Getty Fire. About 10,000 homes are impacted.
An evacuation warning stretched to Topanga Canyon Boulevard as the flames headed in a westerly direction.
Topanga Canyon Boulevard has also been shut down between Mulholland Highway to Pacific Coast Highway for non-residents.
At one point, part of PCH was closed at Temescal Canyon Road. It has since been reopened.