- KTLA - 38 minutes agoA brush fire was threatening structures in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday. ... warnings and critical fire danger across much of Southern California.
- Santa Monica Daily Press - 1 hour ago
Brush Fire Burns 10 Acres in Pacific Palisades Amid Red Flag Warning
Alongside water-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, more than 160 Los Angeles firefighters battled a 10-acre brush fire that burned below homes in an affluent coastal area of Pacific Palisades on Tuesday.
The fire was initially reported as burning about 2 acres and threatening structures, but that threat was later called minimal, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
A brush fire in Pacific Palisades was initially reported as threatening homes, but was held to 10 acres with no structure damage on Jan. 14, 2014. (Credit: KTLA)
The blaze, reported at 3:08 p.m. in the 14800 block of Pacific Coast Highway (map), came amid red flag warnings and critical fire danger across much of Southern California.
Wind was not a factor, Humphrey said.
Vegetation on cliffs between homes and PCH could be seen burning in towering flames as helicopters performed water drops. Firefighters appeared to protect homes on Corona del Mar (map), a street above PCH, aerial video showed.
Fixed-wing aircraft also dropped water on the blaze, which was dubbed a “major emergency brush fire.”
Firefighters working on the Pacific Palisades fire after the flames were largely out on Jan. 14, 2014. (Credit: KTLA)
The fire was declared knocked down and held to 10 acres with no structure damage just before 5 p.m.
Northbound lanes of PCH were closed while the Fire Department responded, and Humphrey advised drivers to avoid the area.
The westbound 10 Freeway, which turns into PCH, was closed at Lincoln Boulevard, with traffic being routed off into Santa Monica.
Traffic was backed up for miles, with southbound PCH lanes blocked occasionally by fire equipment.
No injuries or evacuations were reported.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
A firefighter works on the edge of a cliff over the fire. (Credit: KTLA)end quote from:
Read more: http://ktla.com/2014/01/14/brush-fire-threatens-structures-in-pacific-palisades/#ixzz2qQb1cGtO- See more at: http://smdp.com/fire-fighters-battling-pacific-palisades-brush-fire/131151#sthash.1UXhLOyW.dpuf
Fire fighters battling Pacific Palisades brush fire
LOS ANGELES — Southern California firefighters aggressively attacked small but potentially dangerous blazes Tuesday as gusty Santa Ana winds swept the region and humidity levels plunged to vegetation-withering, single-digit levels.
The brush fire in the Pacific Palisades as seen from Santa Monica. (Daniel Archuleta daniela@smdp.com)
Numerous firefighters were dispatched to blazes to prevent the whipping winds from rapidly spreading them into major conflagrations.
The Santa Anas, generated by strong surface high pressure anchored over the West, were predicted to strengthen Tuesday night and remain at advisory levels until noon Wednesday. Red-flag warnings for fire danger were expected to remain in effect until Wednesday evening.
In the Santa Monica Mountains, a blaze near a downed power line along Old Topanga Canyon Road was held to under two acres after a response that included more than 20 fire engines, eight hand crews, three Firehawk helicopters, two SuperScooper water-dropping airplanes and other units. Extra personnel had been positioned in the area because of the critical dryness.
“We were able to get kind of a quick jump on it,” said Inspector Scott Miller of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Winds brought down a tree on a school in San Bernardino late Monday. Nobody was hurt.
Many fire agencies pre-deployed resources to vulnerable areas in advance of the Santa Anas, which are associated with many of Southern California’s worst wildfires. Los Angeles and Pasadena activated parking restrictions in hilly neighborhoods to keep narrow roads open for fire engines.
In Los Angeles, more than 100 firefighters and two helicopters responded when a large house caught fire in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley and strong gusts threatened to spit embers into a neighborhood downwind.
In Riverside County’s Jurupa Valley, 110 firefighters attacked flames spread by 25 mph winds across a two-acre property.
The fire destroyed two houses, two mobile homes, three motor homes, 40 vehicles in different states of repair and 11 sheds, lean-tos and other structures, state fire Capt. Lucas Spelman said. Two mobile homes were damaged.
Alejandro Heredia fled with his 3-year-old child, 15-day-old baby and dog when palm trees began burning in a field behind his home. He said firefighters concentrated on saving his parents’ nearby house while his burned.
“We asked for help, and they said that they were doing what they can,” Heredia told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. “Everything is lost. There’s nothing left.”
The blaze was only smoldering after four hours and crews worked on hotspots.
“The reason why we got an upper hand so quickly is because the wind had actually subsided for about 10 minutes,” allowing a breathing space for firefighters, Spelman said.
Another fire in the Cabazon area of Riverside County was contained at 10 acres by 158 firefighters. Two air tankers, a helicopter and three bulldozers were also assigned.
- See more at: http://smdp.com/fire-fighters-battling-pacific-palisades-brush-fire/131151#sthash.1UXhLOyW.dpuf
Fire fighters battling Pacific Palisades brush fire
LOS ANGELES — Southern California firefighters aggressively attacked small but potentially dangerous blazes Tuesday as gusty Santa Ana winds swept the region and humidity levels plunged to vegetation-withering, single-digit levels.
The brush fire in the Pacific Palisades as seen from Santa Monica. (Daniel Archuleta daniela@smdp.com)
Numerous firefighters were dispatched to blazes to prevent the whipping winds from rapidly spreading them into major conflagrations.
The Santa Anas, generated by strong surface high pressure anchored over the West, were predicted to strengthen Tuesday night and remain at advisory levels until noon Wednesday. Red-flag warnings for fire danger were expected to remain in effect until Wednesday evening.
In the Santa Monica Mountains, a blaze near a downed power line along Old Topanga Canyon Road was held to under two acres after a response that included more than 20 fire engines, eight hand crews, three Firehawk helicopters, two SuperScooper water-dropping airplanes and other units. Extra personnel had been positioned in the area because of the critical dryness.
“We were able to get kind of a quick jump on it,” said Inspector Scott Miller of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Winds brought down a tree on a school in San Bernardino late Monday. Nobody was hurt.
Many fire agencies pre-deployed resources to vulnerable areas in advance of the Santa Anas, which are associated with many of Southern California’s worst wildfires. Los Angeles and Pasadena activated parking restrictions in hilly neighborhoods to keep narrow roads open for fire engines.
In Los Angeles, more than 100 firefighters and two helicopters responded when a large house caught fire in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley and strong gusts threatened to spit embers into a neighborhood downwind.
In Riverside County’s Jurupa Valley, 110 firefighters attacked flames spread by 25 mph winds across a two-acre property.
The fire destroyed two houses, two mobile homes, three motor homes, 40 vehicles in different states of repair and 11 sheds, lean-tos and other structures, state fire Capt. Lucas Spelman said. Two mobile homes were damaged.
Alejandro Heredia fled with his 3-year-old child, 15-day-old baby and dog when palm trees began burning in a field behind his home. He said firefighters concentrated on saving his parents’ nearby house while his burned.
“We asked for help, and they said that they were doing what they can,” Heredia told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. “Everything is lost. There’s nothing left.”
The blaze was only smoldering after four hours and crews worked on hotspots.
“The reason why we got an upper hand so quickly is because the wind had actually subsided for about 10 minutes,” allowing a breathing space for firefighters, Spelman said.
Another fire in the Cabazon area of Riverside County was contained at 10 acres by 158 firefighters. Two air tankers, a helicopter and three bulldozers were also assigned.
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