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The fire in the Pacific Palisades has burned 17,234 acres, according to CalFire.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a press conference that 1,000 structures were destroyed, making it the most destructive in Los Angeles city history.
He added that while there were no reported fatalities, there were “a high number of significant injuries to residents who did not evacuate, in addition to first responders who were on the fire lines.”
At 10:45 a.m., L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said LAFD air operations have resumed after being grounded.
"LAFD helicopters are back to dropping water and hundreds of firefighters continue to be on the scene to help respond to the #PalisadesFire and #HurstFire," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reports that the unprecedented demand for water in the Pacific Palisades for firefighting efforts has resulted in "significant" low water pressure that reduces water quality and can pose a health risk.
LADWP and the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water "strongly advise" people in the 90272 ZIP code and adjacent communities north of San Vicente Boulevard to only use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes until further notice.
The fire started Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., according to CalFire.
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KNX News’ Jon Baird reported seeing homes burn in a neighborhood off PCH on Coastline Drive.
SoCalGas is temporarily shutting off natural gas service to the Malibu community from Brentwood Country Club to Pepperdine University, impacting 15,000 customers, City News Service reported.
The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades is "safe and intact," but will remain closed at least through early next week, according to a statement by Katherine E. Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust.
"While trees and vegetation on the property have burned, Getty structures have been unaffected, and thankfully, both staff and the collections are safe," the statement read.
Officials are expected to hold a news conference at 8 a.m.
EVACUATIONS
During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for 30,000 people, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The evacuation mandates expanded Tuesday night to Kenter and north to Mulholland Road.
Santa Monica has expanded the evacuation ORDER to include an area between 11th, Montana, and the beach - and the evacuation WARNING to include the majority of the waterfront plus an area bounded by 11th and Wilshire.
ROAD CLOSURES
According to LAFD, PCH is down to one lane between Zuma and Trancas Canyon. Drivers are asked to avoid the area.
Pacific Coast Highway is closed from McClure Tunnel in Santa Monica to Topanga Canyon.
Per CalFire, the following roads are closed due to the fire:
- Southbound Pacific Coast Highway at Las Flores Canyon Rd
- Southbound Pacific Coast Highway at Topanga Canyon Boulevard
- Coastline Drive and Southbound Pacific Coast Highway
City officials in Malibu issued evacuation orders in the following areas:
- north of PCH, south of Rambla Pacifio Street, east of Carbon Beach Terrace, and west of Las Flores Mesa Drive
- north of PCH, south of Budwood Matway, east of Las Flores Mesa Driv,e and west of Old Malibu Road
- north of Rambla Pacifico Street, south of Pauma Road, Las Flores Canyon Roa,d and Rambla Pacifico, east of Carbon Canyon Road and west of Gorge Road
SHELTERS
The Westwood Recreation Center is serving as an evacuation center. Those evacuating with large animals can go to Pierce College at 6201 Winnetka Ave. or the Los Angeles Equestrian Center at 480 Riverside Drive in Burbank.
SCHOOL CLOSURES:
Los Angeles Unified School District officials announced that the following schools were closed on Wednesday due to the fire:
- Canyon Charter Elementary School
- Kenter Canyon Charter Elementary School
- Marquez Charter Elementary School
- Palisades Charter Elementary School
- Paul Revere Charter Middle School
Students at Topanga Elementary Charter School were told to continue reporting to Woodland Hills Academy at 20800 Burbank Blvd.
Officials at Pepperdine University announced that the Malibu and Calabasas campuses were closed.
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