LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A brush fire burning in Pacific Palisades was 55% contained this morning as firefighters braced for strong Santa Ana winds forecast to rip through parts of the Southland.
The fire has burned 45 acres since it broke out about 10:40 a.m. Monday near the 500 block of Palisades Drive, according to Nicholas Prange of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
“Firefighters have worked relentlessly to increase containment ... ahead of anticipated Santa Ana winds (of 35-50 mph) and warm temperatures,” Prange said.
Red flag no-parking restrictions will go into effect at 8 a.m., prohibiting street parking in designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Los Angeles to ensure streets are clear for fire crews trying to respond to a brush fire, and to ensure residents can leave the area if evacuation orders are issued.
The parking restrictions will remain in place until further notice, officials said.
The fire damaged eight homes and prompted temporary evacuations of 628 more, according to the LAFD. Those orders were lifted about 8 p.m. Monday.
Officials reported that one civilian was taken to a hospital with respiratory issues. One first responder, reported by one media outlet to be an inmate firefighter, was also taken to a hospital after being overcome by the heat Monday.
There was no immediate word on a possible cause of the fire, LAFD Capt. Cody Weireter said.
It was not known if the fire originated at a homeless encampment, he said.
Weireter said the blaze started at the base of Palisades Drive and burned through about 18 acres within 15 minutes.