LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A brush fire in Pacific Palisades that threatened multi-million dollar homes, prompted evacuations and blackened at least 40 acres was 10% contained this morning.
The fire was reported about 10:40 a.m. Monday near the 500 block of Palisades Drive, with the flames driven upward by the terrain, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Authorities said there was no wind in the area, even as gusty conditions persisted in other parts of the Southland.
“Firefighters will work through the night in very steep, cliff-like terrain to ensure flames do not move past control lines,” the LAFD's Brian Humphrey said. “Tactical patrols will be on the lookout for smoldering hot spots, so as to limit any increase in fire activity.”
One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and a civilian reported mild respiratory distress, according to LAFD Assistant Chief Patrick Butler, who said both were taken to hospitals.
Shortly after the blaze erupted, some homeowners could be seen using garden hoses in an effort to beat back flames nearing their backyards, but they were clearly outmatched by the towering fire, which threatened homes along Vista Grande Drive and Charmel Lane.
As the flames advanced rapidly, some residents were seen running down their driveways, giving way to arriving structure-protection fire crews.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued Monday afternoon for an area between Charmel Lane and Bienveneda Avenue, from Lachman Lane on the north to Merivale Lane on the south. Those orders were lifted about 8 p.m.
Even without wind, embers floating into the neighborhood from the flames below set off at least one fire in shrubs separating a pair of homes, and firefighters rushed into the area to douse the flames before any structures were damaged.
Crews in water-dropping helicopters helped attack the flames in the difficult-to-access hillside area, LAFD Capt. Cody Weireter said at an early afternoon media briefing at a command post at LAFD Fire Station 23. Fire officials also called in a pair of fixed-wing Super Scooper aircraft.
“This is an extremely challenging fire for hand crews,” Weireter said. “If you look at the firefighters, they're essentially clawing their way up this hillside with rocks coming down on them.”
There was no immediate word on a possible cause of the fire, Weireter said. He said it was not known if the fire originated at a homeless encampment.
“We do not have a cause, and while that subject comes up a lot, I don't have a cause for it right now,” Weireter said. “We have arson investigators on scene, looking to see what the cause and the point of origin is.”
Weireter said the blaze started at the base of Palisades Drive and burned through about 18 acres within 15 minutes.
Weireter said firefighters were concerned about the forecast for high winds later this week.
“The forecast is going to be (for) increased winds by Thursday,” Weireter said. “That's why we're going to put a lot of resources on it to make sure this fire is wind-tested, because the winds will be coming back on Thursday.”