UPDATED at 6:09 p.m.:
Flames appear to have died down, and fire fighters have gained an upper hand on the fire near the Getty Center. Traffic on the 405 Freeway in both directions has returned to normal. Water dropping helicopters have also been successful in the effort to curtail the flames.
UPDATED AT 4:20 p.m.
BREAKING NEWS:
A large wind-driven fire is out of control near the famed Getty Center in the Sepulveda Pass off the 405 Freeway. No official word on the cause of the blaze. Several small fires have broken out in the immediate area.
The fire appears to be heading the the direct path of multi-million dollar homes.
The Getty Center has been closed, and the 405 Freeway in the Sepulveda is experiencing a massive traffic congestion.
A massive tower of smoke can be seen throughout the Los Angeles County area. A spokesman for the Los Angeles City Fire Department said that the fire has burned through fire truck paths. Several air tankers have begun to drop water on the flames that are estimated to be eight to 10 feet in height.
