FAA Imposes Temporary Flight Restrictions Over Gas Leak Near Porter Ranch

PORTER RANCH (CBSLA.com) — The Federal Aviation Administration is banning low-flying planes over the gas leak near Porter Ranch.

The agency said in a statement that the temporary flight restrictions were requested "out of concerns that fumes from the gas leak could be ignited."

The restriction, according to KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO, prohibits aircraft from flying below 2,000 over the area.

Flights under the direction of the Los Angeles County Fire Department are exempt.

The ban, which has a 0.5-mile radius and extends to 2,000 feet altitude, is not expected to affect commercial flights.

The gas leak in Aliso Canyon started in late-October. The fumes from the gas well has caused at least 700 to leave their homes.

KCAL9's Tom Wait said the FAA decision was just more salt in their open wound.

"It sounds like a really big safety issue. And if that's the case," said Ruben Sadorra, "why would anyone live here, have their pets here, even commute back and forth to work here?"

Officials fear the gas could be ignited by a plane's engines.

"When you think about it," said resident David Tapia, "it could be catastrophic, something of that magnitude. An airplane. Yeah, obviously, if they do change it, to where they have the flight restrictions,  again, it's all about the safety of the people, the safety of the neighborhood."

Wait says the airspace is not heavily used by aircraft and is not expected to cause significant delays at airports.

The TFR is expected to remain in effect until March 8, 2016.