Firefighters are battling a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades that quickly spread across 500 acres Tuesday, prompting mandatory evacuations amid warnings from weather forecasters about “extreme” wildfire risks.
As the fire exploded in size within an hour, fire authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for homes in the area around noon, along with some evacuation warnings. At 10:30 a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department first reported the fire, saying it originated near 1190 North Piedra Morada Dr. and at that time was an estimated 20 hectares in size.
An hour later, around 11:30 a.m., the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection estimated that the wildfire covered 200 acres.
Krishan Chaudry, a resident of the coastal community of LA, said he could see flames burning from his backyard, which he said appeared suddenly. Footage from UC San Diego’s AlertCalifornia live camera system showed thick, billowing clouds of black smoke rising over the hills, while other images showed the glow of flames above neighborhoods of homes.
“This just happened,” Chaudry said. “We were just looking at the smoke, and then all of a sudden we saw fire everywhere,” Chaudry said.
LA city officials said those not in the Pacific Palisades area should shelter there while the coastal community is evacuated.
Many parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including the area where the fire was reported, are facing a red flag warning this week for an “extremely dangerous situation.” It’s a relatively rare advisory that the National Weather Service issues in more extreme cases, and it’s the same warning that was issued just before. the Mountain Fire destroyed almost 20,000 hectares at the end of last year.
This week, Cal Fire has prepared additional resources as particularly strong Santa Ana winds — which can fuel and spread powerful wildfires — are ravaging the region. Forecasters say wind gusts of up to 100 to 120 km per hour are possible in many areas and up to 160 km per hour in some areas.
“This will likely be a life-threatening, destructive and widespread storm,” the National Weather Service said Tuesday, adding that the “Extremely Hazardous Condition” warning will be in effect from Tuesday afternoon until 4 p.m. Wednesday for areas in LA and Ventura. including Malibu.
In December, the coastal community experienced the Franklin Fire, which destroyed more than two dozen structures, including several homes, as it burned more than 10,000 acres.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
