LOS ANGELES — Two fires broke out in the Los Angeles area Tuesday. One of the fires, called the Palisades Fire, has exploded to more than 1,200 acres and forced evacuations as the area is expected to experience the worst winds in more than a decade.
Residents of Pacific Palisades, an area about 32 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, ordered to evacuate According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the fire progressed rapidly and spread to more than 1,200 acres, threatening approximately 26,000 people and 13,000 buildings. Areas of Malibu east of Las Flores were also included. evacuation order.
Governor Gavin Newsom was on the scene Tuesday afternoon receiving a briefing from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection about the Palisades Fire. According to the post on social platform X.
“Californians in affected areas should remain vigilant and follow local authorities' evacuation orders.” http://Ready.CA.Gov” Newsom said in the post.
According to a press release from the governor's office, Newsom announced on the ground that California had secured federal aid to help fight the Palisades Fire.
“We are deeply grateful to the professional firefighters and first responders who rushed to the scene to battle this dangerous fire. For proactively deploying dozens of fire engines and personnel ahead of the fire threat. Additionally, we have secured federal funding to fight this devastating fire, which is a fast-moving fire,'' Newsom said, according to a press release.
“I urge Southern Californians to listen to local officials and follow trusted sources of information during this critical and dangerous time,” he added.
Firefighters are also struggling Another fire in West HollywoodIt also started Tuesday morning, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
The causes of both fires are currently under investigation, according to Cal Fire.
Southern California is expected to be hit by “destructive and potentially life-threatening storms” until noon Wednesday, the newspaper said. national weather bureauwith gusts of 50 mph to 80 mph in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with isolated gusts of 80 mph to 160 mph in mountains and foothills. Residents are asked to stay indoors, away from windows, and be prepared for power outages.
Residents of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties are advised to remain on alert for severe fire weather conditions through Thursday.
LAFD Capt. Eric Scott warned that these winds could cause “explosive wildfires.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass In the post of Xurged Angelenos to sign up for @NotifyLA alerts and follow LAFD for the latest information.
“In preparation for high winds, LAFD has pre-deployed strike teams in and near wildfire-prone areas. Firefighters are now actively and aggressively responding to the #PalisadesFire with support from community partners. ” Basu also said in the post. “Angeleno residents in the area are asked to heed evacuation warnings and follow instructions from public safety officials. Winds are increasing and this is an extremely dangerous situation.”
Malibu public schools were canceled Tuesday. “Dangerous weather conditions.”
Officials said Pacific Coast Highway was closed from the 10 Freeway to Topanga Canyon, with limited access allowed to facilitate the movement of evacuees and emergency vehicles. They are also asking residents to avoid areas west of Interstate 405 between Sunset Boulevard and Highway 101 to allow emergency responders to work.
In an interview with KTLAActor Steve Guttenberg asked residents near the Pacific Palisades fire to leave their keys in their abandoned cars so others could move out of the way and clear the way for firetrucks. I called for him to leave.
Guttenberg, who lives in Pacific Palisades, said she has friends at evacuation centers who couldn't get out because of traffic and stranded cars.
“It's really important for people to come together. Don't worry about personal property. Just get out,” Guttenberg added.
Fire officials said these “strong winds” could ignite “explosive wildfires” and warned residents in wildfire-prone areas: prepare for evacuation.
“Decide in advance what is important to you and your family and what you will do if someone knocks on your door and asks you to leave,” Scott says. told KCAL News on Tuesday..
The Getty Villa in Malibu will remain closed until at least January 13, Katherine E. Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, said in a press release. Ta. Some trees and vegetation on the property were burned, but no structures were burned. She added that although there is a fire, staff and collections are safe.
“Additional fire safety measures implemented at the villa include on-site water storage. Irrigation was immediately deployed across the property on Tuesday morning. The museum's galleries and library archives It was sealed from smoke by an advanced air handling system. The gallery's double wall construction also provides important protection for the collection,” Fleming said in a press release.
Evacuated residents can go to the Westwood Recreation Center shelter located at 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles. Small animals are also accepted here. An emergency shelter for large animals has been opened at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive in Burbank.
Updated at 9:09pm ET.
