Description
Amid devastating wind conditions, a brush fire quickly raced across more than 1,200 acres of Pacific Palisades Tuesday, damaging or destroying an unknown number of homes and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate as the flames marched toward the Pacific Ocean.
The fire was reported around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Piedra Morada and Monte Hermoso drives, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman David Ortiz. By 11:20 a.m., crews on the scene estimated the size of the fire at 200 acres, and by mid-afternoon, Cal Fire mapped the blaze at 1,262 acres. There was no reported containment.
Air tankers and water-dropping helicopters could be seen making drops as firefighters from the across the region rushed to the scene.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued in a "polygon"-shaped area from Merrimac Road on the northeast, west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to Pacific Coast Highway, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The orders essentially cover the bulk of Pacific Palisades.
LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley told reporters Tuesday afternoon that roughly 30,000 people were under evacuation orders, with the fire endangering roughly 13,200 structures, including 10,300 homes.
MORE: https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/california/brush-fire-high-winds-200-acres-pacific-palisades/509-b06717e1-16b8-437f-bc64-a137549e7395