A rapidly growing wildfire has scorched 1,262 acres near an affluent area of Los Angeles, California, fueled by powerful dry winds and parched vegetation on Tuesday.
“The fire has expanded to 1,262 acres and continues to grow due to extreme wind conditions, expected to peak overnight. The Mandatory Evacuation zone remains unchanged, covering most of Pacific Palisades,” the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported.
President Joe Biden stated that he is being “frequently briefed” on the wildfires in West Los Angeles and has offered federal support for firefighting efforts.
“My team and I are in contact with state and local officials, offering any necessary federal assistance to combat the devastating Pacific Palisades fire,” Biden said in a statement.
The president announced that FEMA has approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to aid affected areas and reimburse California for immediate firefighting expenses. He urged residents of Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas to “stay alert and follow local authorities.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to support communities affected by the Palisades Fire.
“Southern California residents, please stay vigilant, take necessary precautions, and adhere to local emergency guidance,” he wrote on X.
Footage shared online showed a bulldozer clearing a path through a line of cars for emergency vehicles. Evacuations were ordered for areas affected by the Palisades Fire, extending to the Pacific Coast Highway.
The fire is now “rapidly spreading” westward near the Pacific Palisades Highlands community, according to LAFD spokesperson Erik Scott in a social media update.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports that the blaze is 0% contained since igniting around 11:04 a.m. local time (1904 GMT).
The LAFD has instructed Palisades residents to evacuate, setting up an evacuation center at the Westwood Recreation Center. “Residents in the Palisades area must evacuate immediately due to a fast-moving wildfire. Gather all people and pets and leave the area. If you’re not in the mandatory evacuation zone, stay off the roads to allow first responders and evacuees to move quickly,” the LAFD warned.
The fire is being driven by what the National Weather Service describes as a “life-threatening and destructive windstorm,” expected to last through Wednesday morning.
Wind gusts are predicted to reach 50-80 mph (80-129 kph), with isolated mountain and foothill areas facing gusts of 80-100 mph (129-161 kph).
