Update as of 7 p.m.: Palisades Charter High School will remain closed Thursday, October 31, and will reopen Friday, November 1.
Palisades Charter Elementary School, Marquez Charter Elementary School, Paul Revere Charter Middle School and Canyon Charter Elementary School reopened on Thursday, October 31.
The Getty fire is currently estimated at 745 acres, with 39% containment.
Update as of 5 p.m.: Mandatory evacuation orders for the Palisades that have been in place since early Monday morning when the Getty fire broke out have been lifted.
The Getty fire is currently estimated at 745 acres, with 27% containment.
Update as of Wednesday, October 30, at 9 a.m.: The Getty fire is now being reported by LAFD to be 745 acres with 27% containment.
“Overnight, crews and aircraft worked to contain wind-driven spot fires and flare ups within the current fire perimeter,” according to LAFD. “Adverse weather conditions will be the biggest challenge for firefighters today. An Extreme Red Flag Warning remains in effect throughout the day today and into tomorrow.”
Mandatory evacuation orders in the Palisades remain the same.
LAUSD schools in the Palisades remain closed today: Palisades Charter High School, Palisades Charter Elementary School, Marquez Charter Elementary School, Canyon Charter Elementary School and Paul Revere Charter Middle School.
Update as of 4:15 p.m.: A cause for the Getty fire was announced by LAFD at 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
“Using burn patterns, witness statements and physical evidence, investigators have determined the preliminary cause was an accidental start in the 1800 block of North Sepulveda Boulevard,” LAFD reported. “The fire was likely caused by a tree branch that broke off during the high wind conditions and subsequently landed on nearby powerlines, which resulted in sparking and arcing that ignited in nearby brush.”
LAFD spokespersons added that the powerlines remain intact on the pole and there is no evidence of arson or an intentionally set fire and there is no evidence of a homeless encampment in the fire’s area of origin.
Investigators from the LAFD Arson-Counterterrorism Section continue to work to determine the ownership of the land occupied by the tree.
Update as of 3:30 p.m.: Ahead of what are predicted to be the strongest winds of the season starting at 11 p.m. tonight, the Getty fire has reached 15% containment and remains at 656 acres, Mayor Eric Garcetti reported at an LAFD media briefing at 2:15 p.m.
Mandatory evacuations remain in place, and overnight evacuation shelters will remain open at Palisades and Westwood Recreation Centers.
The number of homes destroyed has grown to 12, with five homes damaged.
“Santa Ana winds can trigger extreme fire danger,” according to a safety message from LAFD. “Residents living in wildfire-prone areas are encouraged to be prepared in the event of a brush fire, remain vigilant, and familiarize themselves with the Ready-Set-Go program: lafd.org/ready-set-go.”
Update as of Tuesday, October 29, at 9 a.m.: The Getty fire grew about 40 acres overnight and is now estimated to be 656 acres with 5% containment.
“All areas that were in the mandatory evacuation zone remain under mandatory evacuation and are off-limited with no public entry being permitted as police officers continue to protect those neighborhoods,” LAFD reported at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
“People will not be returning to their homes this evening, prepare for that now,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said during the LAFD media briefing this morning. Garcetti explained that winds are expected to pick up around 11 p.m. tonight, and although there will be more moisture in the air tonight, tomorrow morning that will drop “dramatically.”
He urged residents to stay safe and stay away until the orders are lifted.
Update as of 6 p.m.: Mandatory Evacuation Orders from the 405 freeway to Temescal Canyon Road, Sunset Boulevard to Mulholland Drive will remain in place overnight, according to information provided during an LAFD media briefing. Evacuation shelters have been set up at Palisades Recreation Center (851 Alma Real Drive) and Westwood Recreation Center (1350 South Sepulveda Blvd.).
Photo courtesy of Violetta Hargitay
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