Firefighters were battling a fast-moving fire that broke out Tuesday morning along Piedra Morada Drive in Pacific Palisades and by evening had grown to more than 2,900 acres.
The blaze, which started around 10:30 a.m., damaged homes and forced thousands to evacuate. Some residents had to leave their cars on the side of the road in their attempt to leave. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.
Forecast
Wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph were recorded in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The National Weather Service said strong north winds were expected around the fire through at least Wednesday, with speeds peaking from 35 to 60 mph between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday.
Evacuations
- Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued north to Mulholland Drive, east to Kenter Avenue and south to Pacific Coast Highway.
Shelters
- Westwood Recreation Center, at 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd. The shelter also accepts small animals.
- An emergency evacuation shelter for large animals has been set up at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank.
Road closures
- Southbound Pacific Coast Highway is closed at Topanga Canyon Boulevard
- Southbound Pacific Coast Highway is closed at Las Flores Canyon Road
- Coastline Drive and southbound Pacific Coast Highway at Coastline Drive
Schools
All schools will be closed Wednesday in Malibu, which is part of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
The district’s Santa Monica schools will be open, but this could change depending on unfolding events. School district officials said they would make a final decision by 6 a.m., but parts of Santa Monica were under residential evacuation orders or warnings Tuesday night.
Santa Monica College announced its Malibu campus would be closed Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Unified School District said that, due to fire activity and weather conditions, the following schools are closed or relocating:
- Canyon Elementary School, Palisades Charter Elementary School, Kentor Canyon Elementary Charter, Marquez Charter Elementary School and Paul Revere Charter Middle School will be closed.
- All closed schools will provide digital academic content on Wednesday.
- Topanga Elementary Charter School students should report to Woodland Hills Academy at 20800 Burbank Blvd, Woodland Hills.
Affected schools are communicating directly with families. Please visit lausd.org for updates. If families need additional support, please contact the school district’s family hotline at (213) 443-1300.
Several schools are closed due to the Eaton fire that broke out Tuesday night in Altadena. See a list of school closures here.
