Evacuations ordered in Topanga as Palisades fire burns more than 750 acres
A fire that ignited in Pacific Palisades spread toward Topanga, burning more than 750 acres on May 15, 2021. (Photo by Rick McClure , Special to SCNG)
Fire officials said officers ordered evacuation in Topanga as a brush fire that burned more than 750 acres in the Pacific Palisades and continued to rise Saturday after a fire broke out in the Topanga State Park area late Friday Stayed.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said just before 7 pm that evacuation orders cover anyone living in the county areas east of Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Topanga Community Center in the south and Viewridge Road in the north. The order included anyone between Antrada Road to the east of Henry Ridge Mountain Way to the south and Oakwood Drive to the north.
The agency’s spokesman, County Fire Department Inspector Sean Ferguson, said the evacuation order included about 500 homes.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said that no evacuation was ordered by authorities for residents in the city of Los Angeles.
Dubbed by the authorities as a Palisades fire, residents first reported seeing the flames at around 10pm on Friday evening. 1807 near North Michael Lane. As the weather conditions were favourable – high amounts of moisture and low winds in the air – the fire continued to creep throughout the night, spreading to 15 acres, officials said.
However, by Saturday afternoon, onshore winds moving at a speed of 15 to 25 mph further exacerbated the fire, which increased to 100 acres around 5 pm. And then two hours later 750 acres without any control.
The City of Los Angeles fire said the fire burned along the very steep slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains, and in an area with no apparent fire roads, access to fire field crews became difficult and dangerous. Authorities have relied heavily on fire helicopters and tankers to prevent flames from spreading.
“We can’t get our lines around it like most brush fires,” said Margaret Stewart, a spokeswoman for the city’s fire.
Flames continued to move north-east through state-controlled land and county areas, drawing resources from Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The investigation into the cause of the fire continued. Although earlier Saturday afternoon, firefighters in the city of Los Angeles spotted a person they believed to be a potential arson suspect and called law enforcement, Stewart said.
Sheriff’s deputy Miguel Meza said the county sheriff’s helicopter unit continued to search for the possible suspect until Saturday evening.
In addition, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory Saturday night and advised people who see smoke or ash, by closing windows and doors indoors or looking for alternative shelter and vigorous It is recommended to avoid physical activity.
City News Service contributed to this story.
