PACIFIC PALISADES—On January 8, new reports indicate thousands have been evacuated from a fire that initially started on January 7, at 10:30 a.m. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported a brush fire at 1190 N. Pedra Morada Drive.
LAFD firefighters began fighting a fire that was consuming 20 acres. At 12:38 p.m., LAFD reported that the fire had spread to 200 acres. By January 8, the majority of the lavish homes located in Pacific Palisades overlooking the Pacific Ocean were destroyed by fire. Wind gusts are fueling the spread of fire into Topanga Canyon.
A timeline of the devastation caused by the fire that began on January 7, with some evacuation information is listed below.
“There are now mandatory evacuation orders in place which fall within the polygon described as: Northeast is Merriman Road west to Topanga Canyon Blvd and south to PCH.
Westwood Recreation Center is open as an evacuation center[1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd] and accepts small animals.”
At 2:23 p.m. LAFD confirmed that the current evacuation plan had not changed, but the fire had spread to 770 acres. Neighboring fire departments joined in the effort to fight the fires, and are now approximately 250 firefighters strong. Firefighters are battling the flames that were complicated by arid conditions, water rationing, and strong winds.
At 4:30 p.m. new reports indicated that the fire had spread to 1,262 acres and growing. Evacuation plans are still in place. Westwood Recreation Center will accept families with small animals even overnight.
Pierce College located at 6201 Winnetka Avenue, 91367 is the large animal evacuation center. Residents with large pets may evacuate there.
Reports indicate that the majority of Pacific Palisades is on fire. Residents who are near the evacuation zone are asked to prepare for possible evacuation.
