If you're looking out the window near Hollywood Burbank Airport and seeing smoke, you aren't imagining it. There’s been a lot of activity lately. Honestly, after the chaos of the major fires that ripped through the region earlier this month, everyone is on edge. Just yesterday, a massive house fire in the 3000 block of Haven Way lit up the hillside, sending embers flying and forcing a second-alarm response from Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena crews.
It was intense.
The fire near Burbank Airport today isn't a massive wildfire like the Palisades or Eaton blazes that dominated the headlines last week, but in Southern California, "small" is a relative term. Any smoke near a runway causes a ripple effect. Between the lingering Santa Ana winds and the bone-dry brush that hasn't quite recovered from the recent heat, even a small rubbish fire or a localized structure blaze creates a massive headache for commuters on the I-5 and travelers trying to make their flights.
How the fire is affecting Burbank Airport operations
The good news? The airport is currently open.
However, "open" doesn't always mean "on time." If you’ve spent any time at BUR, you know it’s a tight operation. Smoke can drop visibility fast. While the FAA hasn't issued a full ground stop, several arrivals have been seeing "airborne delays" and some departures are facing gate holds. We’re talking 15 to 30 minutes, which isn't the end of the world, but it’s enough to make you miss a connection if you’re cutting it close.
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Airlines have been surprisingly proactive. Because of the ongoing fire risk in the San Fernando Valley this January, carriers like Southwest, United, and Delta have been keeping their travel waivers active in some cases. It basically gives you a "get out of jail free" card to rebook if the smoke or wind makes you nervous about flying.
What happened with the Haven Way fire?
That hillside fire yesterday was a wake-up call. It broke out around 10:20 PM in a vacant multi-story home. It was well-involved by the time the first engines got there. The roof actually collapsed, which made it way harder for the Burbank Fire Department to get inside.
They had to go defensive.
They poured thousands of gallons of water on it from the outside to keep it from jumping into the dry brush nearby. If that fire had hit the hillside vegetation, we'd be talking about a completely different situation near the airport today. Thankfully, they knocked it down in about 26 minutes, but crews stayed on-site all night to make sure no hot spots flared up.
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The current "Red Flag" reality in Burbank
The City of Burbank is still under high-fire-risk advisories. The humidity is low. The winds are unpredictable. Even though we’ve made it through the worst of the January hurricane-force winds, the "fine fuels"—basically the dead grass and light brush—are ready to go at any second.
If you’re driving near the airport or through the Glenoaks area, you’ll likely see Burbank Police keeping certain streets blocked off for emergency vehicle access. It’s a mess, but it’s better than the alternative.
You should also keep an eye on the air quality. Even if the flames are out, the smoke from these hillside fires and the recent commercial blazes in North Hills and Winnetka tends to settle in the valley. It’s that thick, campfire smell that just hangs there. If you have asthma or just don't like breathing in burnt 2x4s, keep the windows up while you're driving down Hollywood Way.
Stay updated with these real-time resources:
- The Burbank Fire Department’s X (Twitter) account: This is usually the fastest way to see if an evacuation order has been issued.
- The Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) official site: Check the flight status board before you Uber to the terminal.
- LAFD Alerts: Since Burbank is bordered by LA City on multiple sides, what happens in North Hills or Sun Valley often affects Burbank traffic.
Actionable steps for today
If you live in the area or are traveling, don't just "wait and see."
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First, check your flight status directly through your airline’s app. Don't rely on third-party trackers; they can be slow. If you're driving, avoid the side streets near the Verdugo Mountains. Fire engines need those narrow roads, and getting stuck in a rubbernecking jam doesn't help anyone.
Second, make sure your "Go Bag" is actually by the door. We saw how fast the Bethany fire moved last year—it jumped to 8 acres in the blink of an eye. If the wind picks up today, a small fire near the airport could turn into a serious problem for the nearby residential pockets very quickly.
Lastly, if you're a renter or homeowner who was affected by the fires earlier this month, remember that the tax deadlines have been pushed back to October 2025, and there are price-gouging protections in place. Don't let a "disaster surcharge" on a hotel or rental car slide. Report it to the Burbank City Attorney’s Office.
Stay safe and keep your eyes on the horizon. The valley is beautiful, but it's a tinderbox right now.