Los Angeles firefighters working on rough terrain took advantage of the calmer weather on Sunday to try to contain
a fire that swept through the Topanga Canyon community,
forcing dozens of its residents to evacuate.
The fire described as the Palisades fire because it started in the area of the same name, burned 750 acres (more than 300 hectares) in western Los Angeles County overnight, according to the Fire Department.
By Sunday,
the fire had spread to 1,325 acres (about 536 hectares) and was in zero percent containment.
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Captain Erik Scott, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department, explained that a
mandatory evacuation of about 500 homes was ordered, a measure that affected more than 1,000 people.
It is considered that the fire had a "suspicious beginning" and the authorities have ensured that the investigation "remains open and active."
At the moment, there are no reports of injuries or damaged structures.
The smoke from the forest fire can be observed from a considerable distance, as users have shown on social networks.
Residents ordered to evacuate were those who lived east of Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Topanga Community Center and Viewridge Road, as well as those who lived north of Entrada Road, south of Oakwood Drive, and east of Henry Ridge Mountain. Way, the Los Angeles Times reported.
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KNBC-TV reported that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was
searching for a person suspected of starting the fire.
The search was confirmed by Deputy Alejandra Parra of the Sheriff's Information Office, the station reported.
“The terrain is very steep and extremely difficult to navigate, making firefighting operations on land difficult.
Most of the fire fighting is done from the air, ”the fire department said.
Authorities said in a statement that the "cool and humid" weather on Saturday night made "fire activity calmer" but, as Sunday warmed, conditions were expected to worsen because
"vegetation in that area it is very dry and has not burned in more than 50 years ”.
Winds that could direct the fire to the northwest were expected to increase Sunday afternoon and "there are resources available for whatever structural defense is required," firefighters said.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke alert from the incident through Sunday afternoon for portions of downtown Los Angeles, Northwest Coastal Los Angeles County, West Valley from San Fernando and the eastern San Fernando Valley.
Pacific Palisades is a wealthy community nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean and, according to news reports, is home to a number of celebrities.
With information from AP, Los Angeles Times and The New York Times