Brush clearance along Sepulveda Basin could cause traffic delays on Burbank Boulevard

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- You might experience heavier traffic than usual along Burbank Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley over the next couple of weeks.

Crews are closing lanes to clear brush near the Sepulveda Basin for fire prevention, but only at times.

Los Angeles Public Works crews started clearing the median along Burbank Boulevard at 6:30 a.m. Monday.

They'll be clearing the tall and dry grass between the 405 Freeway and Balboa Boulevard until 2:30 p.m. every weekday through Friday, Sept. 19.

From time to time, they'll close the number one lane along the westbound and eastbound lanes while crews do their work.

Hundreds of fires have burned in the basin in the last year and a half. Nearby residents are concerned that one could turn into a major wildfire because of the nearby homeless encampments and open fires.

"We're like one bad weather day away from a disaster, and that's what we want to avoid, is having a catastrophe come as a result of one of these encampment fires," said Roy Nwaisser with the Encino Neighborhood Council.

"We do need to do something about the problem, and some drastic steps need to be taken," said Encino resident Mark Simmons.

In a written statement to Eyewitness News, the Bureau of Street Services said, "As the region is experiencing the driest hottest period of the year, this brush clearance is vital to ensuring the safety of residents in the nearby area..."

Along with the work along the median on Monday, Eyewitness News also spotted a crew working within the basin, chopping down trees and getting rid of brush there.