A wind-driven wildfire in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday caused traffic jams on Pacific Coast Highway and other roadways, causing motorists to stop.
The Palisades Fire was reported in coastal Los Angeles County near Malibu on Tuesday morning, when high winds were blowing across Southern California. Traffic was backed up on several roads outside the area, including along Palisades Drive, where at least one vehicle caught fire.
It is not clear whether the fire was caused by a mechanical problem with the wildfire. Embers scattered by strong winds can cause ignition in previously unburned areas.
Abandoned vehicles were seen on the streets, an eerie sight left behind by residents fleeing the area. Some of the cars were later removed by fire department bulldozers as firefighters continued to protect homes in the area from the blaze.
Adam Handler and his wife were among those trying to evacuate when they received a chilling warning from law enforcement officials.
“The officer started telling us, ‘If you want to live, get out of the car,'” Handler said.
His family’s Audi was then seen on video being bulldozed away. Handler said her home is safe for now.
There were no immediate reports of injuries. Evacuation orders had been issued for areas that overlook the Pacific Ocean and have few roads in and out.
The Los Angeles Police Department announced Tuesday afternoon that it has assigned 140 members to assist with traffic congestion and evacuations and is on tactical alert across the city.
The wildfire was reported around 10:30 a.m. near the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive. Homes are threatened and some may already be on fire.
The fire produced large plumes of black smoke that could be seen for miles around East Los Angeles and Inglewood.
Details about how the fire started were not immediately available.
The community of approximately 23,000 people is located between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Located approximately 8 miles northwest of Santa Monica and 16 miles east of Malibu, just off the Pacific Coast Highway.
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