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Fire Threatens Renowned Getty Villa
A brush fire fueled by strong winds endangered the Getty Villa Museum, home to a collection of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts. Located in the Pacific Palisades, the museum was evacuated after flames approached.
Despite some vegetation damage, the museum and its staff were reported safe. The villa, already closed on Tuesdays, remains closed until at least January 13th.
The Getty had implemented fire mitigation measures, including brush clearing and on-site water storage. Air handling systems and double-walled construction protected the galleries and archives from smoke.
The Getty Villa
Founded by oil tycoon J. Paul Getty in 1974, the Getty Villa is a replica of an ancient Roman country house.
It houses Getty’s collection of Classical and Renaissance-era art, including Roman and Greek antiquities. The museum also has an outdoor theater for classic productions.
The Getty Villa and the Getty Center in Brentwood attract nearly two million visitors annually. The villa was previously closed last month due to another fire in Malibu.