July 5, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Firefighters Prepare For Biggest Wind Event of Year as Getty Fire Evacuations to Continue Overnight

Updated 3:23 p.m. Tuesday

Embers could carry “miles” away says LAFD

By Sam Catanzaro

The Getty Fire is now at 656 acres as firefighters continue to take advantage of favorable conditions and have reached 15 percent containment on the blaze which has destroyed 12 homes. With the strongest Santa Ana wind event of the year forecasted overnight, mandatory evacuations orders will remain in place for much of Pacific Palisades and Brentwood as city officials are warning of potential flare-ups miles away from the blaze.

“All it takes is one ember cast that can come up, be tossed in the middle of the night or tomorrow, and we could see a new fire, or fires, throughout this area,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

According to Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Chief Ralph Terrazas, Santa Ana wind gusts between 50 mph and 70 mph are expected after 11 p.m. Tuesday.

The fire, which broke out in the Sepulveda Pass near the Getty Center around 1:30 a.m. Monday, has burned 618 acres and is at 5 percent containment as of 9:00 a.m. Tuesday. According to the LAFD, eight structures have been destroyed and six have been damaged as 7,091 residential and commercial buildings are threatened by the blaze. The Getty Center has not been damaged by the blaze.

“Firefighters continue to take advantage of favorable weather conditions into the day today, working with aircraft to extinguish any flare-ups and mop up hot spots. Narrow canyon roads and steep terrain pose a challenge for hand crews working the fire line. Current objectives include protecting all structures and building further containment lines around the fire before another forecasted Santa Ana Wind event begins tonight around 11:00 p.m. Low relative humidity and wind gusts of 30-50 mph are expected this evening,” said LAFD Spokesperson Margret Stewart.

According to Chief Terrazas, the wind event is expected to peak around 3 a.m. bringing gusts upwards of 70 mph.

The evacuation zones as of 9:00 a.m. Monday. Photo: LAFD.

While evacuation orders have been lifted for the Mountaingate community, many parts of Pacific Palisades and Brentwood remain in red zones Tuesday. The borders of the mandatory evacuation zone are, with the exception of the Mountaingate community, as follows:

  • Temescal Canyon Road is the West border
  • Sunset Boulevard is the South border
  • Mulholland Drive is the North border
  • 405 Freeway is the East border

An evacuation preparedness (yellow) zone remains in place, and now includes Mountaingate, within the following borders:

  • Topanga Canyon is the West border
  • Sunset Boulevard is the South border
  • Mulholland Drive is the North border
  • Temescal Canyon Road is the East border

According to LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas, when the fire first broke out, the department received 18 calls from elderly individuals asking for help evacuating. Terrazas says that all 18 people who called are doing well, including 15 individuals the LAFD transported to safety.

The cause of the fire is under investigation though Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti says arson investigators have ruled out a homeless encampment as the source.

“It was not from an encampment, there was no encampment there,” Garcetti said. “We don’t have any reason to believe it was set by somebody but we have arson investigators looking.”

All southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway were reopened at 6:00 p.m. All lanes of the NB and SB 405 Freeway are open but some on/off ramps may be closed intermittently from 101 to Sunset. For real-time information freeway status, visit the Caltrans QuickMap.

The fire shortly after sunrise Monday. Photo: LAFD.

As of 4:00 p.m. Monday, the Palisades Recreation Center (851 Alma Real Drive) and Westwood Recreation Center (1350 South Sepulveda Boulevard) have transitioned into shelters with overnight sleeping arrangements and food. Small animals are welcome at these shelters.

Animal evacuation centers include the West Valley Animal Shelter (20655 Plummer Street), West LA Animal Shelter (11361 West Pico Boulevard) and Hansen Dam Recreation Area (11798 Foothill Boulevard) for large animals.

1,165 personnel are fighting the fire across a range of cooperating agencies, including 170 engines, 16 hand crews and 11 helicopters.

According to the Los Angeles Unified School District, due the Getty Fire, schools that were closed Monday will be closed Tuesday as well. These include Palisades High School, University High School, Emerson Middle School, Paul Revere Revere Middle School and the following elementary schools: Brentwood, Brockton, Canyon, Community Magnet, Fairburn, Kentner, Marquez, Palisades, Roscomare, Nora Sterry, Topanga, Warner and Westwood.

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) has announced that its schools are expected to be open on Tuesday. Santa Monica College (SMC) has also said SMC will resume classes and campus operations on Tuesday.

<>Related Posts

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Ruskin Group Theatre to Stage ‘The Fantasticks’

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

A timeless tale of young love and life’s bittersweet beauty, the show is reimagined with modern flair for contemporary audiences...

Film Review: F1: The Movie

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

FILM REVIEWF1: THE MOVIERated PG-13155 MinutesReleased June 27th F1: The Movie will envelop you in a racecar. You will be...

Big Blue Bus Launches Prohibition Order Program to Bolster Safety

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of...

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...