FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2026
Fire Safety in the Hills – Sycamore Fire and Fireworks Patrol
Unincorporated Los Angeles, CA — At 6:43 a.m. on July 5, 2026, a call to the Los Angeles County Fire Department was made in response to a small fire less than one acre in size in Sycamore Canyon at the Matrix Oil facility fenceline. A Matrix Oil employee reportedly discovered the fire and played a key role in extinguishing it.
Sycamore Canyon is owned by the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority (Habitat Authority), and the fire occurred within an area leased by Matrix Oil. There has not yet been a full investigation to determine the source or cause of the fire.
The Habitat Authority is grateful for Matrix Oil’s efforts to extinguish the fire. The Habitat Authority takes all fires very seriously and, with funding from the voter-approved Measure PH, has increased its ranger patrol services—contracted through the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) —this year. All rangers and MRCA park staff are trained wildland firefighters.
For over 20 years, the Habitat Authority has organized a Fireworks Static Patrol on July 4th, and partnered with the Cities of La Habra Heights and Whittier on outreach and patrol efforts. This year, twenty-two volunteers, all of whom were trained and coordinated by the Habitat Authority, were stationed at popular access points primarily throughout the Preserve from 7pm to 10pm, serving as extra eyes and ears to spot and report any illegal fireworks or suspicious activity, educate the public, and discourage unauthorized access after dark. This proactive presence has become a trusted tradition, helping to deter dangerous behavior. Rangers from the Habitat Authority, along with staff, actively patrolled the Preserve, collaborating with local fire and law enforcement agencies to keep a close watch over the hills.
Residents from all over joined the volunteer efforts which were part of a broader, multi-agency strategy that includes annual defensible space clearance, coordinated emergency response planning, and ongoing public education to keep both the Preserve and surrounding neighborhoods safe from wildfire threats. These combined efforts reflect our community’s shared commitment to safeguarding the Puente Hills’ natural beauty and the safety of our neighborhoods.
Since its establishment in 1994, the Habitat Authority has been committed to preserving and protecting the over 3,800 acres of natural habitats of the Puente Hills area, including Hacienda Hills, Turnbull Canyon, Sycamore Canyon, Hellman Park, Arroyo Pescadero, and Powder Canyon. The Habitat Authority offers vital benefits by preventing wildfires, preserving natural habitats, and providing recreational opportunities to the public. https://www.habitatauthority.org/ ##
Media Contacts: Andrea Gullo, Executive Director, 562.201.3581, agullo@habitatauthority.org
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