Additional Coverage:
Wildfire Threatens California Neighborhoods
A fast-moving wildfire, fueled by high-speed Santa Ana winds, threatened homes in some of Los Angeles’ most exclusive neighborhoods on Tuesday. The Palisades Fire consumed thousands of acres and forced the evacuation of 30,000 people.
Officials warned that the worst wind conditions were expected overnight, leading to concerns that more neighborhoods could be evacuated. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley reported damage to several structures and threatened over 10,000 households and 13,000 structures.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and urged residents to heed evacuation orders. President Joe Biden expressed support and approved a grant to aid in firefighting efforts.
Fire Threatens Getty Villa
The fire threatened the Getty Villa, a renowned art museum located in Pacific Palisades. Aerial footage showed smoke approaching the villa, which houses a collection of Roman and Greek artifacts. Museum staff took precautions to protect the collection, including sealing off galleries and deploying irrigation.
Celebrities Evacuate
Several celebrities who reside in the affected area, including Eugene Levy, James Woods, and Steve Guttenberg, were among those who evacuated. Guttenberg assisted in moving vehicles to allow fire crews access to steep streets.
Southern California Braces for Additional Fires
Governor Newsom anticipated additional fires due to the alarming wind forecasts. The strongest winds were expected between 10 p.m.
Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday, posing a challenge for aerial firefighting operations.
High Winds and Evacuations
Pacific Coast Highway was shut down due to the fire, leading to gridlock as residents attempted to evacuate. The City of Santa Monica closed a portion of Interstate 10 to facilitate evacuations.
Driving in High Winds
Southern California residents were advised to exercise extreme caution while driving due to high winds. The National Weather Service warned of potential power outages and damage from winds up to 100 mph.
National Monuments Event Canceled
President Biden canceled an event in Los Angeles to dedicate two national monuments due to the fire. The event will be rescheduled for next week at the White House.