Wildfire... Already..

Wildfire rips through Santa Monica Mountains, triggers evacuations in Topanga Canyon

Amy Graff

A wildfire tearing through the parched brush of the Santa Monica Mountains triggered evacuations in Topanga Canyon Saturday.

The Los Angeles Fire Department issued mandatory evacuations for residents located east of Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Topanga Community Center and Viewridge Road, as well as those north of Entrada Road, south of Oakwood Drive and east of Henry Ridge Mountain Way.

The Palisades Fire sparked at 10 p.m. Friday near Topanga State Park in the mountains behind the community of Pacific Palisades.

The blaze flared up Saturday and grew to 750 acres with 0% containment, sending a massive cloud of smoke into the sky.

KNBC-TV reported that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was searching for a person suspected of setting the fire. The search was confirmed by Deputy Alejandra Parra of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau, the station reported.

“The terrain is very steep and extremely difficult to navigate which hinders ground based firefighting operations. The bulk of the firefighting is air based,” the fire department said.

Late Saturday, the National Weather Service shared a statement indicating that firefighters were making progress. "Satellite derived fire temp/fire power are showing that crews are getting the fire under control," the weather service said on Twitter.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard is closed at Mulholland Drive and the Pacific Coast Highway, the fire department said.

Red Cross can assist those evacuated in finding shelter overnight. Those requiring assistance, can call (323) 374-3525. 

Large animals are being evacuated to Pierce College.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for areas near the fire. "Even in areas far from fires or areas not covered by a smoke advisory, if you can smell smoke or see ash from a wildfire, avoid or limit outdoor activities," the district advised.