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LOS ANGELES - Residents and first responders in Los Angeles County braced for another round of ferocious Santa Ana winds this week as the Palisades Fire, which is now considered the most destructive wildfire in LA history, continues to burn and pose a threat to more homes on the western and coastal edge of the area.
As of Monday morning, the fire held at 23,713 acres and was 14% contained.
Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said in a briefing Monday morning they have a significant number of engines dedicated to the Palisades Fire.
She said crews from up and down the California coast and from out-of-state were mopping up flare-ups and hot shots, adding crews made significant progress in the Mandeville Canyon area.
"We are not in the clear and we must not let our guard down," Chief Crowley said, warning of ongoing critical fire weather.
During a press briefing, Crowley said she and Mayor Karen Bass conducted an aerial survey of the Palisades Fire area.
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"While we witnessed significant loss, we also saw many successes in the efforts to save lives and protect property. Containing the fires absolutely remains the top priority. When the time comes for recovery, we are committed to a unified effort across the agencies to support the affected communities," Crowley said.
Fire officials said at least 5,316 structures have been destroyed, a number that includes automobiles, and at least 426 homes have been destroyed. Authorities said approximately 105,000 people are currently evacuated.
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Along with the Pacific Palisades, evacuation orders and warnings have been extended to Malibu, Calabasas, Santa Monica and Brentwood.
There are now over 5,000 fire personnel on the ground battling the Palisades Fire, along with 44 helicopters and six water tenders. Both aircraft and ground crews have been securing the fire's edge.
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Resources also worked to clear out vegetation and conduct risk mitigation around structures and in preparation for this next wind event.
So far, eight deaths have been confirmed from the Palisades Fire while an additional 16 people were confirmed dead in the Eaton Fire, burning roughly 40 miles east.
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A curfew has been implemented from sunset to sunrise, in an effort to keep these areas in the fire zone safe and secure while residents are evacuated.
On Monday morning, FOX 11’s Mario Ramirez observed California National Guard members blocking areas in the fire zones to help keep communitas safe. The day prior, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he deployed an additional 1,000 California National Guard members to LA to support safety and security efforts in the wildfire areas, bringing the total deployment to approximately 2,500.
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LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said some people were attempting to return home or see their home but urged them not to as the area remains dangerous. In the fire zones there is no power, no water, and several broken gas lines.
In anticipation of more wicked winds, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, residents will not be let back until the upcoming Red Flag event is over. By Thursday, Jan. 16, officials anticipate having an update on possible repopulation.
Weather Conditions
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Firefighters worked tirelessly through the weekend in preparation for another powerful wind event.
In addition to poor air quality, low humidity and strong winds will be a consistent factor in the forecast for most of the workweek.
The strongest winds were expected to hit the area on Tuesday with a Red Flag Warning in effect from 4 p.m. Monday to 6 p.m. Wednesday evening.
Palisades Fire Evacuations
Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued in the cities of Malibu, Los Angeles and Santa Monica, as well as many unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
Mandatory evacuation zone:
- From the Pacific Ocean (west) to the 405 Freeway (east), San Vicente Boulevard (south).
Evacuation warnings:
Evacuation orders in Brentwood, Encino and Santa Monica were downgraded from orders to warnings. This means residents may voluntarily return to this area but should remain prepared with gathered essentials and be ready to leave if conditions worsen. This includes the following areas:
- Santa Monica areas north of San Vicente Boulevard.
- Area One (LOS-Q0779) is north of W. Sunset Blvd up to and including Mount Saint Mary's University and from North Bundy Drive to the San Diego Fwy.
- Area Two (LOS-Q0762B) includes the northern boundary of the Encino Reservoir, from Vanalden Ave. East to Strawberry Field Park.
Residents in those areas are permitted to return to their homes, officials said.
- Areas near Montana Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard in Brentwood.
- Sunset Boulevard (south) to Mulholland Drive (north), Bellagio Road/Roscomare Road (east) to the 405 Freeway (west).
- Mulholland/Sepulveda Boulevard (south) to Ventura Boulevard (north), the 405 Freeway (east) to Louise Avenue (west).
Road Closures
The latest road closures from the California Highway Patrol can be found on the LA County Emergency web page here.
Several off-ramps on the 405 Freeway have been closed, including:
- Southbound I-405 Sepulveda Boulevard off-ramp
- Southbound 1-405 Valley Vista Boulevard off-ramp
- Getty Center Drive off-ramps in both directions
- Skirball Center Drive off-ramps in both directions
- Southbound Sunset Boulevard off-ramp
- Southbound Wilshire Boulevard off-ramp
- Southbound Santa Monica Boulevard off-ramp
- Southbound Olympic/Pico Boulevard off-ramp
Portions of PCH are also closed, including:
- Southbound lanes at Civic Center
- Northbound lanes at McClure Tunnel
10 Freeway
- Westbound I-10 closed at Lincoln Boulevard
- Westbound I-10 4th and 5th Street on ramps closed
Topanga Canyon Boulevard
- Fully closed between PCH and Mulholland Drive
Other road closures include:
- Mulholland Hwy at Stunt Rd
- Topanga Canyon Blvd at Mulholland Dr
- Malibu Canyon Rd at Piuma Rd
- Topanga Canyon Blvd at Entrado Dr
- Piuma Rd at Woodbluff Rd
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Assistance Center
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Monday morning that the city is in the process of opening in-person assistance center for those impacted by the Palisades and hurst Fires. The center will open at the UCLA Research Park and will operate from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days a week.
Those impacted by the wildfires are encouraged to visit lacity.gov.
Evacuation Shelters
Evacuation shelters are available in multiple areas for residents who need to leave the area:
Calvary Community Church
- 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village, CA 91362
El Camino Real Charter High School
- 5440 Valley Circle Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Pasadena Convention Center
- 300 E Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
Stoner Recreation Center
- 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Westwood Recreation Center
- 1350 South Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Stoner Recreation Center
- 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Calvary Community Church
- 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village, CA 91362
Lanark Recreation Center
- 21816 Lanark St, Canoga Park, CA 91304, USA
Van Nuys Recreation Center
- 14301 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, CA 91405, USA
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center
- 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331
Pan Pacific Recreation Center
- 7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Animal Shelters
Animal shelters are available in multiple areas for residents evacuating with pets:
Small Animals:
Agoura Animal Shelter
- 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Baldwin Park Animal Care Center
- 4275 Elton Street, Baldwin Park, CA 91706
Carson Animal Care Center
- 216 W Victoria Street, Gardena, CA 90248
Castaic Animal Care Center
- 31044 Charlie Canyon, Castaic, CA 91384
Downey Animal Care Center
- 11258 Garfield Avenue, Downey, CA 90242
El Camino Real Charter High School
- 5440 Valley Circle Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Lancaster Animal Care Center
- 5210 W Avenue I, Lancaster, CA 93536
Palmdale Animal Care Center
- 38550 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, CA 93550
Large Animals:
Pomona Fairplex
- 101 W McKinley Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768
Industry Hills Expo Center
- 16200 Temple Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91744
LA Equestrian Center
- 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91506
Pico Rivera Sports Arena
- 11003 Sports Arena Drive, Pico Rivera, CA 90601
Castaic Animal Care Center
- 31044 Charlie Canyon, Castaic, CA 91384
The American Red Cross is assisting with a mobile animal shelter for small animals.
Donation Centers
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The City of Los Angeles announced drop-off donation centers for community members to donate items to those put in need by the Los Angeles Fire. They are at the following locations:
LA Council District 11 Office - 7166 W. Manchester Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045.
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday–Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Items Requested:
- Individually wrapped items
- Non-perishable goods
- Personal hygiene products
- Canned goods
- Baby food
- Dog food
- Water and Gatorade
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North Valley Caring Services Food Pantry - 15453 Rayen Street, North Hills, CA 91343
Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Friday 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Items Requested:
- Non perishable foods
- Blankets
- Bottled Water
- Diaper and wipes
- Microwaves
- Fresh produce – Please only drop off on Thursdays
It’s Bigger Than Us - 4308 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008
Monday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Items Requested (New Items Only Please):
- Men, Women and Children's Clothing
- Air Mattresses
- Bedding
- Toiletries
- Non-perishable foods