Power lines spark and smoke after large tree topples in Beverly Crest

A large tree fell onto live power lines Friday afternoon in the Beverly Crest area, sparking and smoking as firefighters waited for the power company to de-energize the fallen wires.

The tree toppled over around 1:15 p.m. near homes on the 2600 block of Bowmont Drive, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Gil Leyvas in Sky5 reported that there was a small explosion as the KTLA helicopter approached the scene, and there were small puffs of white smoke the occasional flicker of flames as the downed wires remained energized and ignited wet vegetation.

Firefighters were forced to wait for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to de-energize the wires before any cleanup could begin.

The tree fell down in the aftermath of a rainstorm that brought significant measurable precipitation to the Los Angeles area. That same wet weather kept the fire from growing or advancing beyond the hillside.

“Right now our biggest danger is the houses that are potentially exposed to the tree, but right now it’s fortunately being held in check by the rain and the power lines are far away from the houses,” said LAFD Capt. Chipper Cervantes