May 31, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Brentwood to Remain Under Evacuation Overnight as LAFD Prepares for Santa Ana Gusts up to 70 mph

Updated 3:23 p.m. Tuesday

Gusts up to 70 mph expected

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 the 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 6:00 p.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. 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.

Angeles National Forest fire crews fight the Getty Fire Monday morning. Photo: Angeles National Forest.

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

Defensible Space, Defined: How A Plus Tree Protects Communities from Wildfire

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

In the wildfire-prone landscapes of the Western United States, safeguarding homes and communities requires proactive measures. A Plus Tree, a...

WeHo Pride Weekend Begins and 2025 Icons Announced: Parades, Concerts, and Community Celebration Kicks Off

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

Three-Day LGBTQ+ Festival Features Performances by Lizzo, Maren Morris, and Kim Petras West Hollywood is preparing to kick off its...

Palisades Village to Reopen in 2026 with Revamped Retail, Dining, and Community Spaces

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Elysewalker Set to Return With Park Reconstruction, Holiday Events, and Streetscape Upgrades Palisades Village, the open-air shopping and lifestyle destination...

Bel Air Seventh Grader Reaches Finals of Scripps National Spelling Bee

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Oliver Halkett of Mirman School Competed on Thursday for a $50,000 prize Thirteen-year-old Oliver Halkett, a seventh grader from Mirman...

(Video) Signs That Your Aging Loved Ones Are in Need of Caregiving

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

To Find Out More, Go To Safelyhomeagain.com To Find Out More, Go To https://t.co/kxgpFPbFq0 pic.twitter.com/71jDkkQBiR — BrentwoodNewsLA (@BrentwoodNewsLA) May 30,...

Brentwood Weekly Crime Report: May 18, 2025 – May 24, 2025

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

String of Burglaries Hits Brentwood; Businesses Among Targets By Matthew Kirk Brentwood has had a rash of commercial burglaries this...

Salt & Straw Unveils Summer Pie Series with Five Seasonal Ice Cream Flavors

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Five New Flavors Inspired by Classic Summer Pies Will Be Introduced Salt & Straw is giving summer a scoopable twist...

(Video) Interviews with Rick Caruso and Elyse Walker, with a Dennis Quaid cameo

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

We spoke at the Press Conference to announce plans to reopen Palisades Village Shopping Mall. Actor Dennis Quaid arrives to...

Levain Bakery Debuts ‘Levain à la Mode’ with Local Ice Cream Partners for Summer

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Seasonal Offering With Wanderlust Creamery is a First in Cookie Shop’s History For the first time in its three-decade history,...

Beverly Glen Sixth Grader Advances to Finals of National Student Cook-Off

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Twelve-Year-Old Heads to Virginia to Compete in K12 Culinary Competition Abijah Levy Minor, a 12-year-old student from Beverly Glen, has...

Sarah Paulson to Host Charity Bingo Night for Pasadena Humane Society on June 5

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Evening of Food, Wine, and Live Music to Raise Funds for Animal Rescue Efforts Emmy-winning actress Sarah Paulson will host...

Bay Cities Italian Deli Responds to Health Code Closure, Commits to Corrective Action

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Santa Monica Landmark Disputes Rodent Claims but Acknowledges Violations Bay Cities Italian Deli, a Santa Monica staple renowned for its...

Film Review: Bring Her Back

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Grief is the price of love.  Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou’s second feature film, Bring Her Back,...

County Assessor Stresses Need For Fire-Affected Households to Update Addresses to Receive Relief Checks

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Assessor’s Office Offers Automatic Tax Relief for Fire-Affected Homeowners Following the destruction caused by wildfires earlier this year, the Los...

Caltrans Schedules Public Meeting for $143.7 Million I-405 Rehabilitation Project

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Virtual Forum Set to Brief Residents on Upcoming Construction The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a virtual public...