The famous but dangerous Santa Ana winds know no bounds. They have influenced Southern California for as long as people have lived there.
This week, that unfortunate reality reared its ugly head again. These powerful wind gusts started large and powerful fires, forcing 30,000 residents to fight the fires. Evacuate the Pacific Palisades area in Los Angeles, according to NBC News. Firefighters from across Southern California were on the scene working to extinguish the fire. However, the fire has grown to more than 1,200 acres and threatens hundreds of thousands of residents. I don't think the situation will improve overnight.
“People did evacuate. They were slow to evacuate,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Christine Crowley told NBC News.
“We were told that the evacuation was delayed, but the evacuation actually took place.”
Residents of the Pacific Palisades Highlands community first reported the fire at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday. The area is located about eight miles west of Riviera Country Club, which will host Tiger Woods' Genesis Invitational next month. Hideki Matsuyama, who broke the PGA Tour scoring record last week at The Sentry, won last year's title at the famous course.
Initially, the Riviera was not included in the red evacuation zone, which poses the highest level of risk. Anyone within the red zone must evacuate. However, as the fire intensified, local authorities expanded the red zone It also includes Riviera, which will also host the U.S. Open in 2031.
Thankfully, no deaths or injuries have been reported so far. However, the situation remains dangerous. We hope firefighters can get it under control soon.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
