A brush fire that quickly swelled to about 200 acres amid a strong windstorm in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday morning is burning homes.
There are reports from the scene of multiple structures burning, with wind-driven embers creating new fires.
At least one home, on Lachman Lane, was fully engulfed, CBS Los Angeles reported at 11:43 a.m.
The brush fire also was burning near the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive, a residential street in a hillside neighborhood, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
Evacuation warnings are in place for an unknown number of structures in the vicinity, with crews on scene requesting evacuations for the entire area down to Pacific Coast Highway. Fire officials say evacuation warnings are in place from Topanga Canyon on the west to Rustic Canyon on the east.
Eastbound Pacific Coast Highway was closed at Topanga Canyon Boulevard as of noon.
Dark gray smoke could be seen from the Santa Monica pier.
What started the fire was not known. It began amid windy conditions during a period in which Southern California has been under a red flag warning for extreme fire danger.
“We were just looking at the smoke. All of a sudden we saw fire everywhere,” resident Krishan Chaudry told CBS Los Angeles.
The wind was blowing near Pacific Palisades at 46 mph, CBS reported, with embers landing on neighborhoods miles away.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement around noon: “In preparation for high winds, LAFD pre-deployed strike teams in and near areas prone to wildfire. Firefighters are now actively and aggressively responding to the #PalisadesFire with support from regional partners. Angelenos in the area are urged to heed evacuation warnings and follow direction from public safety officials. Due to increasing winds, this is a very dangerous situation. Sign up for @NotifyLA alerts and follow @LAFD for updated information — stay safe L.A.”
This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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