Amid devastating wind conditions, a brush fire quickly raced across more than 1,200 acres of Pacific Palisades Tuesday, damaging or destroying an unknown number of homes and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate as the flames marched toward the Pacific Ocean.
The fire was reported around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Piedra Morada and Monte Hermoso drives, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman David Ortiz. By 11:20 a.m., crews on the scene estimated the size of the fire at 200 acres, and by mid-afternoon, Cal Fire mapped the blaze at 1,262 acres. There was no reported containment.
Air tankers and water-dropping helicopters could be seen making drops as firefighters from the across the region rushed to the scene.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued in a “polygon”-shaped area from Merrimac Road on the northeast, west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to Pacific Coast Highway, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The orders essentially cover the bulk of Pacific Palisades.
LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley told reporters Tuesday afternoon that roughly 30,000 people were under evacuation orders, with the fire endangering roughly 13,200 structures, including 10,300 homes.
People outside of the evacuation area were asked to shelter in place.
The nearby city of Malibu issued evacuation warnings for an area north of PCH and south of Rambla Pacifico Street, between Carbon Beach Terrace on the west and Las Flores Mesa Drive on the east. Malibu officials noted the fire was spreading rapidly with “long-range spotting.”
An evacuation center was established at the Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd., while large animals can be taken to Pierce College at 6201 Winnetka Ave.
Evacuees were instructed to travel south on Palisades Drive to westbound Sunset Boulevard then to southbound PCH. However, the evacuation routes quickly filled with vehicles, prompting some people to simply pull over near Palisades and Sunset, exit their cars and walk out of the area on foot.
LAFD officials said about 30 vehicles were abandoned at the location, and a bulldozer was used to push some of the vehicles out of the intersection to prevent them from blocking traffic in and out of the area.
Eastbound PCH was closed east of the fire area in hopes of clearing the roadway. The westbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway was closed at Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, along with north/westbound PCH to help clear the roadway and assist people trying to evacuate the roadway.
Multiple structures could be seen burning in the fire zone, and there were repeated reports of police and fire crews working to rescue people from burning buildings — but there were no immediate reports of any injuries. On at least two occasions, crews responded to homes where people were in residential swimming pools to escape the flames.
Early Tuesday afternoon, crews raced to LAFD Fire Station 23 along Sunset Boulevard, which was reported to be burning. There was no immediate update on damage to that structure.
The cause of the fire was unknown.
The fire erupted amid fierce Santa Ana winds that forecasters said could develop into the worst windstorm in the Southland in a decade. Red flag warnings of critical fire danger were expected to be in place until Thursday evening.
Fire and elected officials warned that the peak gusts of the wind event were anticipated to slam the fire area between 10 p.m. Tuesday and early Wednesday morning, which could dramatically increase the size of the fire.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said authorities hope to keep water-dropping aircraft flying throughout the night, but officials will have to monitor wind speeds, which could potentially ground the aircraft for safety.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger had signed an emergency proclamation in response to the fire, and the city of Los Angeles also issued an emergency declaration.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, noting that President Joe Biden was in the Los Angeles area when the fire erupted, had given immediate approval to federal funding to help cover the firefighting effort. Newsom said it only took a text message to Biden to get the funding approved.
The White House issued a statement saying Biden “has been briefed on the wildfires in Los Angeles and at his direction his team is in contact with state and local officials to offer any federal assistance as needed. In response to the governor’s request, FEMA has just approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support the impacted community and help reimburse California for firefighting costs.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took to social media to urge residents to heed evacuation orders.
“In preparation for high winds, LAFD pre-deployed strike teams in and near areas prone to wildfire,” she wrote. “Firefighters are now actively and aggressively responding to the #PalisadesFire with support from regional partners. Angelenos in the area are urged to heed evacuation warnings and follow direction from public safety officials. Due to increasing winds, this is a very dangerous situation. Sign up for @NotifyLA alerts and follow @LAFD for updated information — stay safe L.A.”
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, City Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents the Palisades area, warned that the fire “is growing very rapidly. It is now over 200 acres. It is threatening homes and infrastructure, and lives.”
“My message to residents in the area is to pack your bags and be ready to go. This is an emergency,” Park said.
The Los Angeles Police Department went on a citywide tactical alert in response to the fire and dangerous wind conditions. The alert allows the department to keep officers on duty beyond their normal shifts to respond to emergencies.
Due to the fire and wind conditions, several Los Angeles Unified School District campuses relocated students.
— Students at Palisades Charter Elementary School and Marquez Charter Elementary School were relocated to Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet at 740 Greta Green Way in Los Angeles;
— Paul Revere Charter Middle School relocated to University High School Charter, 11800 Texas Ave., Los Angeles; and
— Topanga Elementary Charter classes were moved to Woodland Hills Academy, 20800 Burbank Blvd.
The Getty Villa museum will remain closed until Monday, according to a statement posted on the Getty’s website. There was no immediate word of any damage to the Villa complex, which houses a treasured collection of Greek and Roman antiquities.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory due to the fire that will be in place until at least 5 p.m. Wednesday, saying smoke from the blaze could lead to dangerously unhealthy air quality, most notably in Pacific Palisades, Malibu and other northwest coastal areas in the county.
“It’s best to avoid using swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air,” AQMD officials said in a statement. “Residents should also avoid burning wood in their fireplaces or firepits. And, if they absolutely must be outside, a properly fit N95 mask or P100 respirator may provide some protection.”