WHITTIER — A grass fire on the ground of the vacant Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility grew to about five acres and briefly threatened structures on the campus Thursday before firefighters got the upper hand, authorities said.
The fire was first reported at 1:43 p.m. at the former juvenile detention facility at 11850 Whittier Boulevard, Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Melanie Flores said.
Though initially reported as half an acre in size, the grass fire soon grew to about five acres, fire Dispatch Supervisor Art Marrujo said.
Structures on the former juvenile detention facility, which is now used for movie and television filming, were initially threatened by the fire, though none were damaged, Marrujo said.
The first firefighters on-scene called for an additional five engines to assist, and three water dropping-helicopters were also used to combat the fire, officials said.
The helicopters were called off about 3 p.m., he said, as firefighters were confident they had halted the spread of the fire.
The fire was declared extinguished at 4:01 p.m., Flores added.
The cause of the fire was not available.