Pacific Palisades brush fire forces residents to evacuate

Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in the Pacific Palisades after a brush fire blazed up a Palisades hillside beginning at around 11 a.m. this morning. The fire, destroying trees and affecting approximately 200 homes near the 500 block of North Palisades Drive, has burned more than 30 acres.

The Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) says the blaze doesn’t present an immediate risk to Santa Monica, but urge people to limit travel near the fire’s impacted areas. SMFD has three resources on scene assisting the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) with structure defense and evacuations.   

Evacuation orders in the Palisades include areas between Charmel Lane and Bienveneda Avenue, from Lachman Lane to Merivale Lane. Fire officials say there is high fire and smoke potential in the area. An evacuation center for impacted residents has been established at the Palisades Recreation Center, 851 Alma Real Drive. LAFD has a public information officer on hand to provide updated information. 

No injuries or structures were initially reported, but video has emerged showing a female inmate firefighter being treated for heat exhaustion. LAFD Capt. Cody Weireter said the fire burned through about 18 acres in 15 minutes.

“This is an extremely challenging fire for hand crews,” LAFD Capt. Cody Weireter said. “If you look at the firefighters, they’re essentially clawing their way up the hillside with rocks coming at them.”

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Updated alerts from LAFD can be found here.