Officials lift fire evacuation orders
Arrest: As conditions ease, authorities say an arson suspect is now in custody
Evacuation orders were canceled Monday afternoon for Topanga-area residents whose homes were threatened by a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades area, hours after officials said a suspect was in custody on suspicion of starting the fire that had charred at least 1,325 acres.
Fire officials said community tips helped investigators find the suspect, who was getting medical treatment as of Monday, with few details released. That person was in custody after an arrest Sunday afternoon, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said.
Approximately 530 homes had been under mandatory evacuation orders from Saturday evening, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Chief Jesse Vela. Those residents, totaling an estimated 1,000 people, were allowed to return at 6 p.m. Monday, as firefighters continued to make progress against the fire.
Homes affected by the order were in the area of Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Greenleaf Canyon Road and Santa Maria Road, Los Angeles County Fire spokesman, Capt. Ron Haralson, said. Residents returning to their houses will need to show an ID or Topanga Access card to be allowed onto Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
Evacuation warnings remained in effect for an additional 130 homes in the Summit at Palisades, a gated community located southwest of the fire, Los Angeles City Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said. Residents living in the area of Palisades Drive and Palisades Court, between Vereda De La Montura and Michael Lane, should have their essential belongings packed and be ready to leave at a moment’s notice in case flames creep closer to their neighborhood.
The Palisades fire started at around 10 p.m. Friday in the 1800 block of North Michael Drive in Pacific Palisades. Firefighters managed to secure about 23% of its perimeter by early Monday evening, Haralson said.
“Until we have 100% containment, there is always a chance that an ember can blow from the fire line to cause a new flareup,” Haralson said.
Gray and white ash on Monday covered portions of a mountainside dotted with charred shrubs along Topanga Canyon. Active flames were at least a few miles away from any buildings, and none were imminently threatened as of Monday evening, Haralson said.
No structures were damaged so far, fire officials said. One firefighter sustained a minor injury.
Fire officials said they faced several challenges on the fourth day of firefighting, including mountainous terrain and cloudy conditions.
“We are facing a fire in steep, rugged terrain that is difficult to access,” Vela said. “Further, much of the vegetation in these canyons has not seen fire activity in 50 to 60 years.”
Some of that brush was 20 to 30 feet high, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
By the afternoon, weather conditions allowed for aircraft to drop fire retardant in some areas, fire officials said. Retardant drops earlier had not happened because of the morning cloud cover.
Fire officials reminded people to clear brush near their homes as summer approaches and to avoid the wildfire area.