Palisades Fire Forces Authorities to Evacuate 1,000 People

A small fire that started on Friday in the Santa Monica Mountains grew in size and exploded to more than a square mile near the Pacific Palisades community in Los Angeles on Sunday. The Los Angeles County Fire Department reported that the fire was 0 percent contained as of 1 pm on Sunday. However, authorities had swung into action on Saturday, ordering the immediate evacuation of about 1,000 people east of the Topanga Canyon.

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Thankfully, the fire hasn’t damaged any structures or buildings and there have been no injuries reported. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the Fire Department used the word ‘suspicious’ while describing its origins. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office is reportedly investigating arson, according to KNBC.  In an update to the press, the Department confirmed that the fire was mostly traveling along difficult terrain – the steep hillsides of the State which has vegetation that hasn’t burned in more than 50 years.

The fire was helped along by brisk onshore winds that may move it swiftly to the northwest. It was also supported by the ongoing drought conditions in California. The state has been experiencing hot, dry weather and moderate to extreme drought conditions which worsened last week.

By Sunday night, firefighters had managed to prevent the fire from crossing a road on the Western side. Ground-based operations were difficult owing to the steep slopes, but firefighters were able to dig lines in the ground to prevent the fire from moving too fast, while helicopters overhead dropped water onto the flames.

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