The fire has been rampant since Saturday night, when the mandatory evacuations began. Firefighters expect weather conditions to worsen
Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP / Getty Images
Wednesday, October 23
Fire in Pacific Palisades, Already Affecting 835 Acres, Marks Start of Fire Season
The forest fire in Pacific Palisades that Saturday night had already caused mandatory evacuations spread this Sunday to 835 acres and remains out of control , which keeps the eviction orders from the area in effect. This is the first fire of this magnitude of the season.
On Sunday morning, the Twitter account of the Los Angeles Fire Department ( LAFD updated the perimeter of the fire and warned that “the mandatory evacuation orders launched yesterday by @LACoFDPIO (the department itself) remain in force without changes” .
# PalisadesFire The operational map showing the fire perimeter as of 7AM 5. 16. 21 The most recent update on the fire is now available at https://t.co/4Pxc 38 Oqj4
MANDATORY evacuation orders issued yesterday by @ LACoFDPIO REMAIN in effect with no changes # LAFD pic.twitter.com/CNi3qIHJER– #LAFD Talk (@LAFDtalk ) May 16, 2021
The fire started Friday night in a remote area of the Santa Monica Mountains near Michael Lane and Palisades Court. The following afternoon, a new outbreak caused the flames to spread over the fire control lines . This was followed by a response by land and air to a fire that at that time was burning some 100 acres.
But it was only a few hours until that the flames spread the length and breadth of 750 acres and put structures at risk from the Topanga Canyon area . The first to leave their homes were residents in the east of the canyon, between Community House and View Ridge and north of Entrada road, south of Oakwood and east of Henry Ridge, according to KTLA .
Some 1, 000 residents continue to be evacuated in the morning of this Sunday, when the fire has already spread to 835 acres.
Los Angeles fire department authorities said the origin of the fire had been “mysterious” and police authorities began searching on Saturday for a possible arsonist .
In their press release this Sunday morning, the firefighters indicate that “ the weather remained cool and humid during the night, leading to quieter fire activity “. However, the department believes that the situation will worsen as temperatures rise this Sunday “since the Vegetation in this area is very dry and has not been burned in more than 50 years “.
The operations of LAFD troops are further complicated by the steep terrain of the affected area. As the flames spread Saturday, the firefighting team entered the area with bulldozers, although most of the work was carried out by air. Right now, according to the agency’s statement, they are prepared to defend structures that may be at risk when the winds in a northwesterly direction. increase during the afternoon .
Topanga Canyon Road remains closed this Sunday between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway and all hiking trails in the area also allow public access.
The following NASA map shared by the Calabasas City Council also shows the affected area:
Map of # Palisadesfire . Thanks NASA. Last update is still 750 acres. Still well south and east of Calabasas. But be prepared in case situations conditions deteriorate. pic.twitter.com/iZQUQMvhlR
– City of Calabasas (@CityofCalabasas) May 16, 2021
