Pacific Palisades Fire: Residents Flee as Brush Fire Rages On
Evacuation Chaos
As a brush fire tore through Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, evacuees quickly jammed the area’s whirligig of canyon and hillside roads, as black smoke descended in 50-mph gusts, forcing some to abandon their cars and flee on foot.
Cars Left in the Way
County bulldozers were pushing roughly 30 ditched vehicles out of the way on Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard to clear a path for fire crews and further evacuations.
Residents’ Harrowing Experiences
Actor and Palisades resident Steve Guttenberg told KTLA, "If anybody has a car, leave the keys in the car so we can move your car so that these firetrucks can get up Palisades Drive." He has friends stuck up the hill unable to get out because of abandoned vehicles blocking the roads.
Ellen Delosh-Bacher abandoned her car on Sunset Boulevard after the fire exploded behind a Starbucks along the road. "Cops began running down the road telling anyone stuck in traffic, ‘Run for your lives,’" said Delosh-Bacher. She left the keys in the ignition and bolted half a mile down to the beach, standing amid the orange-lit smoke as she called her mother.
Celebrity Stuck in Traffic
The honorary mayor of the celebrity-studded Los Angeles neighborhood, actor Eugene Levy, found himself stuck as he tried to flee. "The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon," Levy told The Times by phone. "I couldn’t see any flames but the smoke was very dark."
Limited Egress
Sue Kohl, president of the Pacific Palisades Community Council, was caught in a long line of cars with her three dogs on Sunset. "The problem with Pacific Palisades, which is something we’ve been dealing with for a long time, is that the ways out are extremely limited," Kohl said.
Fire Spreads, Residents Take Shelter
The fire began around 10:30 a.m. near Piedra Morada Drive and quickly grew, threatening many homes to the west. Around 2 p.m., a spot fire broke out near the highway toward the bottom of Palisades Drive, and firefighters ordered evacuating residents still up the hill to instead shelter in place. As the spot fire spread, palm trees at a large apartment complex began igniting, and audible explosions rocked the area.
Resident’s Account of the Fire
Darrin Hurwitz was working at his home on Las Lomas Avenue when he saw what started as a small brush fire turn into a raging inferno in the matter of about half an hour. He said he saw at least 20 homes burn as he fled.
Conclusion
The Pacific Palisades fire has left many residents in a state of uncertainty, with some still waiting to hear about the fate of their homes. As the fire continues to rage on, the community comes together to support those affected and to help in the relief efforts.
FAQs
Q: What was the cause of the fire?
A: The cause of the fire is still unknown, but it is believed to have started near Piedra Morada Drive.
Q: How many homes were affected by the fire?
A: At least 20 homes were reported to have been destroyed by the fire.
Q: What is the current situation with the fire?
A: The fire is still burning, but firefighters are working to contain it. Residents in the affected areas have been ordered to evacuate.
Q: How can I help with the relief efforts?
A: You can donate to the Pacific Palisades Community Council or contact local organizations that are providing aid to those affected by the fire.
