Weather 
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. () — A 200-acre brush fire erupted Tuesday morning in Pacific Palisades, threatening structures and prompting an evacuation order as a powerful windstorm battered the region.
The quick-moving fire was reported shortly before 10:30 a.m. in the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive, just north of the Palisades Hills Recreation Center, sending a massive plume of smoke rose above the Santa Monica Mountains.
“The Palisades Fire is burning near Palisades Drive,” the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement from NotifyLA alert system. “Those nearby should get set for a potential wildfire evacuation by gathering supplies and loved ones.”
A massive contingent of Los Angeles city and county firefighting resources were deployed to the scene, including helicopters and Super Scoopers.
In a statement released at 11:13 a.m., Pepperdine University noted that fire officials predicted the fire had the potential to spread to as many as 200 acres “in the next 20 minutes as the winds push it from the northeast toward the Pacific Ocean. The fire is not presently a threat to the Malibu campus, though smoke from the fire is visible from campus.”
Heavy smoke from a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades rises over the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
AP Photo/Eugene Garcia
Shortly afterward, the LAFD issued a mandatory evacuation order for the area between Piedra Morada Drive and Pacific Coast Highway. An evacuation center was established at the Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 South Sepulveda Boulevard.
“People in the area of Palisades need to evacuate now due to a rapidly moving wildfire, the Fire Department said. “Pack all people and pets into your vehicle and leave the area immediately. If you are not in the mandatory evacuation zone, stay off the roads to allow first responders and evacuees to move quickly.”
There were no confirmed reports of injuries or structural damage.
In a video published on X, actor James Woods said he was “standing in my driveway getting ready to evacuate.” The footage showed dramatic flames burning dangerously close to several hillside homes.
“We’ve got a lot of planes going over, dropping water,” Woods said, “but…”
Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement noting that, in preparation for high winds, the Fire Department had “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.”
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
DEVELOPING: More details will be added to this report as they become available.
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