Topanga Beach area issued mandatory evacuation orders as Santa Ana-wind hits California
A brush fire pushed by dangerously high-speed Santa Ana winds threatened homes in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on Tuesday, officials said.
The fire was first reported at 10:10 a.m. along the 8400 block of West Sunset Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department and Cal Fire.
It had grown beyond 1,260 acres in size in a little over five hours, reportedly damaging and destroying numerous homes as it emitted a thick plume of black smoke.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for some neighborhoods in the potential path of the flames near Topanga Beach, while evacuation warnings were in effect for others, according to Cal Fire.
The mandatory evacuation area stretched from Topnaga Canyon Road east to Merrimac Road, and south to Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles fire officials said.
An evacuation center was opened at Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd., and was able to accept small animals.
Roughly 30 vehicles that had been abandoned by gridlocked motorists who had to flee the advancing flames on foot at Sunset Boulevard and Palisades Drive have been moved from the roadway by bulldozers to allow firefighters access to affected neighborhoods, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said.
'A life-threatening, destructive, widespread windstorm'
Authorities warned Monday that Santa Ana Winds were expected to bring "life-threatening, destructive, widespread windstorm" to Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for fire danger, which was scheduled to remain in effect through 4 p.m. Wednesday.
"In other words, this is about as bad as it gets in terms of fire weather," the agency warned in a stark message posted to social media. "Stay aware of your surroundings. Be ready to evacuate, especially if in a high-risk area. Be careful with fire sources."
Wind gusts of up to 80 mph were anticipated in many places, along with gusts of up to 100 mph in mountain and foothill communities.
Residents of wind-battered areas were urged to stay indoors and away from windows. Power outages were expected.
Public safety power shutoffs affected just under 4,200 Southern California Edison customers in Los Angeles County and another 400 in Ventura County, according to the utility.
Public safety power shutoffs were being considered for more than 400,000 SCE customers across Southern California.
Officials shut down all traffic on Pacific Coast Highway was shut down at Topanga Canyon Boulevard due to the fire, according to Caltrans.
Actor James Woods posted video to social media depicting flames burning near homes in his neighborhood.
What are Santa Ana winds?
According to Accuweather, Santa Ana winds occur when air from a region of high pressure over the dry Great Basin region of the U.S. flows westward toward lower pressure off the California coast. As that cool interior air flows over and through mountain passes, it accelerates, sinks, and compresses. The winds typically happen during the fall months and continue through winter and into early spring. Santa Ana winds can reach up to 70 miles per hour.
This story was updated with new information.