Homes burn as wildfires rage in ritzy Los Angeles neighborhoods

As drivers headed down the 405 freeway, they were met with giant flames from the several fires burning in Southern California. 
USA TODAY

LOS ANGELES — The wildfires that ravaged the edges of this city in recent days came to its heart Wednesday, setting several homes ablaze near Bel Air and other exclusive neighborhoods on its tony westside.

By 3 p.m. PT, the fire had consumed 450 acres since breaking out about 4 a.m. It was only 5% contained. It was centered in the hills and canyons that are home to some of the city’s most expensive residences, including those owned by movie stars and other celebrities.
Mayor Eric Garcetti told reporters. "Our plan is to stop this fire before it becomes something bigger," he said. As a precaution, 700 homes were evacuated.

Four homes were destroyed and 11 damaged, the city fire department reported.

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More: Quick-moving Thomas Fire consumes more homes

Helicopters and six air tankers made water drops as a thick pall of smoke wafted across the city. Mass evacuations were underway in the canyon areas. About 500 firefighters tackled the blaze near the Bel Air neighborhood where more than 500 homes burned in a 1961 blaze that led to many new fire-safety measures.

The blaze started in the Sepulveda Pass, where the San Diego I-405 Freeway cuts a path through the mountains to connect West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Authorities temporarily closed the freeway, leaving many unable to get to their jobs. Later, it partly reopened.

The fire cut through the hills above UCLA and relatively close to the Getty Center, home to one of the nation’s top art museums. It's part of a series of wind-driven fires that destroyed more than 180 homes in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The latest fire, however, came as winds were relatively

"These are days that break your heart. But these are days that show the resiliency of the city," Garcetti said.

In Bel Air, police officers helped evacuate residents, knocking on doors on Roscomare Road. and telling people they had to go.

Standing in front of 80-year-old mom’s house and waiting it out, despite the evacuation, Marcus Pappas, who works in medical device sales, was on hand to organize mom’s stuff, and stay on patrol, until the last minute.

“I boxed a bunch of photos, memorial things from dad,” he said. “The power is out, and I’m here monitoring the situation, If the police tell me there’s high risk and I need to go, I’ve got the car keys in my pocket--I’ll jump in the car and go.”

Standing at the bottom of the hill, as Rolls Royces and Bentleys led the parade of residents driving away, Mouis Yafah, a computer engineer who lives up the street, was asking police how long he would be gone. They didn’t have an answer.
The fire “is too close for comfort,” said Yafah. “I never thought I’d evacuate, but here we are.”

He grabbed some photos, his computer and some artwork, and was planning to stay with his mother-in-law in the interim.

All the fire action Tuesday centered around the northern part of Los Angeles County and to the west in Ventura County, where the blaze still burned out of control Wednesday.

Besides burning down at least 150 structures, the Thomas fire in Ventura County has consumed 65,000 acres.

"This is the start a multiple-day weather event so we’re not through this yet," Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck told reporters at a briefing Tuesday. Winds are expected to increase again Wednesday evening.
Besides burning down at least 150 structures, the Thomas fire in Ventura County has consumed 65,000 acres.

"This is the start a multiple-day weather event so we’re not through this yet," Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck told reporters at a briefing Tuesday. Winds are expected to increase again Wednesday evening.