A fast-moving wildfire erupted in Bel-Air, prompting evacuations and threatening the property of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The fire, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, spread across 40 acres before being contained. The incident occurred amidst a period of heightened fire danger in Southern California, with red flag warnings in effect for much of the region.
A fire erupted late Wednesday in the Bel-Air area, located on the eastern side of the 405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass, and continued burning into the early morning hours of Thursday. According to Todd Hall, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, the fire, situated across the freeway and a mile north from the Getty Center , climbed uphill fueled by wind gusts that reached a peak of 25 mph.
The extremely dry air, with relative humidity ranging from 3% to 8%, also contributed to the fire's intensity. Multiple fire engines were dispatched to the scene, and firefighting helicopters worked throughout the night, dropping water and replenishing their supplies at the nearby Stone Canyon Reservoir. News of the fire broke shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday, and the blaze appeared to spread quickly. Around 1 a.m., television footage suggested the fire was slowing down, with its glow diminishing amid relatively calmer winds. Shortly before 2 a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) announced that the fire, which had charred 40 acres, had stopped its advance. Officials lifted an evacuation warning for parts of Bel-Air, including residences along Casiano Road and Chalon Road, as well as Moraga Drive, which is lined with multimillion-dollar homes. Earlier, authorities had also lifted an evacuation warning for a portion of Brentwood encompassing the Chalon campus of Mount Saint Mary's University. The LAFD reported, 'There are no structures damaged and no injuries reported. Firefighters will remain on scene throughout the night conducting mop-up operations to ensure no hot spots remain.' Traffic on the 405 Freeway is expected to be impeded as crews and equipment operate along the roadway. Among the properties that received an evacuation warning during the fire was Moraga Bel Air Vineyards, owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The 93-year-old reportedly acquired the 16-acre property for $30 million in 2013. Murdoch is known to spend time at the estate, which sustained some damage during the Skirball fire in 2017. He married his fifth wife, Elena Zhukova, a former Russian molecular biologist, at Moraga last June. The Getty Center art museum 'activated fire protection measures' in response to the threat posed by the blaze, according to Alexandria Sivak, a spokesperson for the J. Paul Getty Trust, in an email sent early Thursday. At the outset of the firefight, the Hotel Angeleno was evacuating 121 guests due to the fire, according to a front desk worker. The hotel was situated less than two miles from the fire's location, on the opposite side of the 405 Freeway. Some UCLA students expressed anxiety on social media about the fire, although the university was not within an evacuation zone. 'I don't even know how I'm supposed to sleep ... I HAVE A QUIZ TOMORROW,' one Reddit user posted.The Sepulveda fire marked the latest in a series of alarming incidents as Southern California braced for a fourth consecutive day of red flag fire weather warnings. These alerts indicate a high risk of fires igniting and spreading rapidly. Red flag warnings have been in effect for parts of Southern California for 14 of the last 17 days, a period that began on January 7th, the day the Palisades and Eaton fires erupted, causing widespread devastation in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Thursday is expected to continue as a day of critical fire weather danger. The National Weather Service cautioned on social media, 'Any new fires can grow fast and out of control. Have a plan, especially if you are in a high fire risk area.' Santa Ana winds are predicted to strengthen and reach their peak intensity during the day Thursday, according to weather service meteorologist Ryan Kittell. The weather service has extended its red flag fire weather warning through Friday at 10 a.m. for a significant portion of Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. 'We're still in the middle of this extended period of extreme dryness, and we're looking at this next wind enhancement picking up,' Kittell stated. Humidity levels have plummeted below 10%. Peak gusts on Thursday are forecast to be stronger than initially anticipated in certain locations. Gusts on Thursday could reach 45 mph in the western San Fernando Valley, Oxnard, and the Grapevine section of Interstate 5; 53 mph in Ramona; 54 mph in Acton; 55 mph in Fillmore and Idyllwild; 59 mph in Santa Clarita; 62 mph in Thousand Oaks; 68 mph in Beaumont; and 69 mph in Alpine. With the air so dry — and not showing signs of improvement overnight — it is a 'really concerning period for humidities,' Kittell said. Plants and other fuels are 'ready to burn.' A reprieve from the dry conditions is in sight, with rain forecast for Southern California. Precipitation could begin as early as Saturday afternoon and continue through Monday night. Rainfall amounts are projected to be nine-tenths of an inch in Covina; nearly three-quarters of an inch in downtown L.A., Long Beach, and Santa Clarita; two-thirds of an inch in Redondo Beach; three-fifths of an inch in Fillmore and Canoga Park; and about half an inch in Thousand Oaks and Oxnard. Eleven inches of snow could accumulate on Wrightwood, and four inches along the Grapevine section of Interstate 5.
Wildfire Bel-Air Los Angeles Evacuations Rupert Murdoch Getty Center Red Flag Warnings Dry Conditions Santa Ana Winds
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bel-Air’s Biggest Change To Fresh Prince Makes The 1990s Will Smith Show Even Better 30 Years LaterBel-Air&39;s Jabari Banks and Will Smith from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Read more »
Prince Harry's case against Rupert Murdoch's British tabloids goes to trialA trial begins Tuesday over complaints filed by Prince Harry and a senior British lawmaker against Rupert Murdoch's tabloid newspapers. The trial carries high stakes on both sides of the Atlantic.
Read more »
Prince Harry Faces Off Against Rupert Murdoch's Newspapers in High-Stakes Phone Hacking TrialPrince Harry is taking on Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers in a landmark trial, alleging phone hacking and unlawful surveillance. This high-profile case could have significant implications for media accountability and the royal family's relationship with the press.
Read more »
Prince Harry Trial Against Rupert Murdoch’s ‘The Sun’ Owner Starts in London, Without Prince Harry'The goal is accountability. It’s really that simple.'
Read more »
Prince Harry's High-Stakes Trial Against Rupert Murdoch's Newspapers BeginsPrince Harry's lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers for alleged phone hacking and privacy violations is set to begin. The Duke of Sussex will face the publisher in a high-stakes trial that could cost him millions even if he wins. This is the first case of its kind to go to trial since the widespread phone hacking scandal forced Murdoch to close News of the World in 2011.
Read more »
Prince Harry's High-Stakes Trial Against Rupert Murdoch's Tabloids StalledPrince Harry's lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's U.K. tabloids has been temporarily halted as both sides engage in settlement negotiations. The trial, focused on allegations of phone hacking and privacy violations, was scheduled to begin but has been adjourned pending further discussions. This marks a significant development in Harry's long-running battle with the press, whom he blames for his mother's death and the relentless attacks on his wife, Meghan Markle.
Read more »