A raging wildfire has ravaged wealthy Los Angeles neighborhoods, forcing Jennifer Lopez to cancel her premiere and President Joe Biden to change his visit plans.
The fast-moving wildfire broke out just north of Los Angeles and quickly spread, covering an area of 200 acres in under an hour. By mid-morning, it had grown to 300 acres, with flames heading westward towards the historic mansions in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
Residents in the area, including homeowners of several A-list celebrities, were ordered to evacuate, with a mandatory evacuation order in place. The Los Angeles City Fire Department urged those in the area to “evacuate now” and “pack all people and pets into your vehicle and leave the area immediately.”
The fire has been described by firefighters as the “worst possible scenario” and has been fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity.
The fire has also affected the planned visit of President Joe Biden, who was due to give a speech in the Coachella Valley, but has now postponed his visit due to the fire.
The Pacific Palisades neighborhood is an affluent area with sweeping views of the coast, and is home to several celebrities, including Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, and Brooke Shields. The Getty Villa Art Museum, which hosts Greek and Roman artifacts dating back to 6,500 BC, is also located in the area.
Over 100 firefighters are battling the blaze, which has spread to an area of over 300 acres, with more than 13,000 buildings threatened by fire. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has warned of a “critical” weather event, with strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity causing “extreme wildfire risks.”