A rapidly spreading wildfire fueled by dry conditions and powerful Santa Ana winds has prompted mandatory evacuations in the Los Angeles Palisades area. The fire has already burned over 200 acres and threatens several communities in the surrounding canyons.
The city of Los Angeles issued an evacuation order for the Palisades area. The blaze has exploded because of a combination of dry conditions and powerful winds, which are likely to strengthen further overnight.The National Weather Service, which already today recorded wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph, expects the danger to grow overnight, with gusts up to 100 mph in the windiest spots.
'It looks like the winds will increase a little in strength later today and tonight,' Rich Thompson, a weather service meteorologist based in Oxnard, said. Winter wildfires in California are often driven by the Santa Ana winds, which sweep down mountain slopes to bring hot, dry air to coastal areas. The winds typically lower humidity levels and can rapidly push any fires that start, particularly when the landscape is dry.The Palisades Fire has put structures — mostly homes —'under immediate threat' and mandatory evacuations have been ordered, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in an afternoon update. The blaze — centered on Piedra Morada Drive in the Pacific Palisades hills, above Pacific Coast Highway — is estimated to have spread across 300 acres, Los Angeles fire officials said. The evacuation zone includes the area from Merrimac Road west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to Pacific Coast Highway. An evacuation center has been set up at the Westwood Recreation Center in West L.A.The fire burning in the Pacific Palisades Highlands community has grown to about 200 acres, according to Erik Scott, a Los Angeles fire captain and public information officer. The blaze threatens several additional communities that dot the canyons west of Pacific Palisades, including those in Rustic Canyon and Topanga Canyon.Yesterday he said he planned to mobilize state resources to tackle the storm, including assigning 65 fire engines, seven water tenders, seven helicopters and 109 specialized worker
Wildfire Evacuation Los Angeles Palisades 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.
James Woods Evacuates Home as Palisades Fire Rages in Los AngelesActor James Woods shared footage of the Palisades Fire burning near his home in Los Angeles, praising first responders for their efforts in evacuating residents, including children from nearby schools.
Read more »
Palisades Inferno Rocks Los Angeles: Blaze Spans 200 Acres, Forces EvacuationsSource of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
Map: Palisades Fire evacuation amid high winds in Los Angeles CountyBy 2 p.m., the evacuation zone was more than 25 square miles, extending to the edge of Santa Monica and Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood.
Read more »
Franklin Fire Live: Wildfire in Los Angeles County Expands by 39% OvernightLA County officials reported a 39% increase in the acreage of the Franklin Fire overnight, with crews trying to contain the blaze. Follow Newsweek's live blog.
Read more »
Fast-Moving Wildfire Threatens Celebrity Homes in Los AngelesA wildfire fueled by strong winds rapidly spread through the Los Angeles hills, prompting evacuations and causing traffic chaos. The Palisades Fire consumed over 200 acres, sending a massive plume of smoke visible across the city. Firefighters battled the blaze alongside residents attempting to escape, with one official urging those abandoning their cars to leave their keys behind.
Read more »
200-Acre Brush Fire Scorches Pacific Palisades Amid Extreme Wildfire RiskA brush fire ignited in the Pacific Palisades, consuming 200 acres due to strong Santa Ana winds and a 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service. The rapid spread of the blaze highlights the extreme wildfire risks facing Southern California.
Read more »