Firefighters are battling a brush fire in Pacific Palisades that quickly spread to 1,260 acres Tuesday and triggered mandatory evacuations amid weather forecasters warning of extreme wildfire danger.
Fire officials issued a warning as the fire escalated within an hour. mandatory evacuation order With some evacuation warnings for area homes around noon. By noon, Pacific Coast Highway was completely closed, with all lanes closed, near Topanga Canyon Boulevard. according to California Department of Transportation.
At 10:30 a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department first reported the blaze, saying it had erupted near 1190 North Piedra Morada Dr. and was estimated at 20 acres at the time. About an hour later, around 11:30 p.m., the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection estimated that the wildfire had grown to 200 acres. Within a few hours, around 3 p.m., Cal Fire said it was 1,262 acres.
According to fire officials, the Westwood Recreation Center opened as an evacuation center and overnight shelter for evacuees and small animals. Latest information on evacuations and resources for affected people can be found here,
David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images
Krishna Chaudhary, a resident of the LA coastal community, said he could see the flames burning from his backyard, which appeared suddenly. UC San Diego footage shows thick plumes of black smoke rising over hills AlertCalifornia Live-Camera system while other footage showed flames engulfing neighboring homes.
“It just happened out of the blue,” Chaudhary said. “We were just looking at the smoke, then suddenly we saw fire everywhere.”
People abandoned their cars as PCH remained closed, some drivers went onto Sunset Boulevard The firefighters told them to get out, saying And as the flames increased, they fled on foot. According to the LA Fire Department, approximately 30 vehicles were abandoned.
Parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including the area where the wildfire started, are facing a “particularly hazardous conditions” red flag warning this week. This is a relatively rare advisory that the National Weather Service issues in more severe cases, and is the same warning that was issued just before mountain fire Nearly 20,000 acres of land were destroyed in neighboring Ventura County last year.
According to a Los Angeles Unified School District spokesperson, several schools in the Pacific Palisades area are temporarily relocating students and staff.
Affected campuses include Palisades Elementary School and Marques Elementary School, which are being transferred to Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet, while Paul Revere Middle School is being transferred to University High School Charter. Meanwhile, a Corpus Christi school is being evacuated as the bushfire continues to spread.
David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images
This week, Cal Fire is preparing additional resources as much of the area braces for particularly strong Santa Ana winds, which can fan powerful wildfires and spread rapidly. According to forecasters, winds could reach about 60 to 70 mph in many areas and up to 100 mph in parts of Southern California.
“This will likely be a life-threatening, destructive and widespread storm.” The National Weather Service said on MondayNoting that the “particularly hazardous conditions” warning will be in effect from Tuesday afternoon until 4 p.m. Wednesday for areas of LA, including Malibu.
In December, the coastal community faced franklin firewhich destroyed more than two dozen structures, including several homes, as it burned more than 4,000 acres.
evacuation map
Full list of Palisades Fire exit Orders and warnings from Cal Fire can be found here,
Check back for updates on this developing story.