Firefighters Battle to Contain Getty Fire as Threat of High Winds Looms

Ryan LeuteritzCultureNews

Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)Getty Fire Burns in Los Angeles, A small brush fire burns in the hills near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Fire fighting aircraft quickly contained the Santa Ana wind driven fire. 10/28/2019 Los Angeles, CA USA (Photo by Ted Soqui)

California’s latest fire, dubbed the Getty Fire due to its proximity to L.A.’s Getty Center, broke out Monday morning at around 2 a.m. and spread 500 acres before sunrise, threatening thousands of structures and closing the 405 freeway for hours. Tens of thousands of residents were forced to evacuate, some in the dark and with only 15 minutes to gather belongings.

“Get out when we say get out,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Monday, as he advised displaced L.A. residents to follow evacuation protocol and prepare for at least two days away from home. “Bring your kids, your pets, your valuables if you have time. Get out. That’s the only thing you can’t replace — your life.”

Almost 20 elementary and high schools in the area have cancelled classes until further notice due to poor air quality and other fire risks. UCLA also canceled class on Monday, but announced that classes were to resume on Tuesday. “After a full day of monitoring the Getty Fire, we are pleased to report that, based on current conditions, classes will resume tomorrow on campus,” announced UCLA in a press conference.

Among the thousands of evacuees were many public figures, like Sen. Kamala Harris and Lebron James, who were also been forced to remove their families from their Los Angeles homes. 

“Man these LA [fires] aren’t no joke,” Lebron tweeted. “Had to emergency evacuate my house and I’ve been driving around with my family trying to get rooms. No luck so far!”

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but many speculate that an electrical failure may be the culprit. Electrical failures have started many California fires over the years, including the Kincaid Fire that started in the Bay Area last week— only 15 percent contained, the fire is currently threatening 90,000 structures in the Bay Area and has already burned 75,000 acres. Electric Company PG&E has resorted to scheduled blackouts to curb electrical failures, prompting backlash from California residents.

The Getty fire is currently 5 percent contained, but with more Santa Ana winds predicted later this week, evacuations are still being enforced.

“Embers are known to travel for miles,” Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said in a press conference today. “We are very concerned about [Tuesday’s] wind event.”

According to weather reports, this wind event could be one of the strongest that L.A. County has seen this year.

At least 8 homes have been destroyed in the Getty Fire, while nearly 100 structures have been razed in the Kincaid Fire.

All photos by Ted Soqui

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.