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The rapidly advancing Palisades Fire has already burned more than 1,200 acres and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of Angelenos living in coastal canyon communities. The house was damaged and destroyed by a wind-driven wildfire. An updated state map of the area shows two Los Angeles landmarks, including the Lake Shrine and the Getty Villa, in uncomfortably close proximity.
Despite reports on social media and local news channels that the iconic antiquities museum may have caught fire, just after 5pm on Tuesday, the Getty Villa issued a statement saying: Some of the trees and vegetation inside were burnt, but the staff and collections were also burnt.” Stay safe. ”
A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) map from around the same time shows the perimeter of the fire surrounding the northeastern edge of the property, but the building itself is clearly visible. The museum has been clearing brush from the area throughout the year and the fire broke out Tuesday morning, according to a statement from Kathryn E. Fleming, president and chief executive officer of the J. Paul Getty Trust. Additional measures have been taken, including the provision of irrigation equipment. Shield galleries and archives from smoke. Fleming also noted that the gallery’s double-walled structure provides “significant protection” for the Greek and Roman objects on display.
This isn’t the first time the Getty agency has grappled with the threat of wildfires recently. In 2019, the Getty Fire came very close to the Getty Center in Brentwood. Similar steps were taken to protect its collection of properties.
It’s also worth pointing out that the images circulating of the fire on the hillside behind the Getty Villa sign don’t actually show the museum building. Instead, that hilltop building is Villa de Leon, a privately owned Italianate mansion located along PCH just south of the museum. The actual Getty Villa is located in a canyon just above Getty Villa Drive.
Since today is Tuesday, the museum was already closed to the public (after the fire, it was closed to all but emergency staff). The Getty Villa has announced that it will be closed until at least Monday, January 13th.
Read Fleming’s full statement in the Instagram post above or reproduced below.
“Late this morning, an extremely wind-fueled wildfire broke out in the Pacific Palisades. We immediately closed the villa to all but emergency personnel and closed it to the public on Tuesday. It will remain closed until Monday, January 13. Of course, we are very concerned about our neighbors in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the surrounding areas.
“Fortunately, the Getty Company had extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year. Although some trees and plants on the property burned, staff And the collection is safe. The villa has additional features such as on-site water storage. Fire prevention measures were taken: Irrigation was immediately applied to the entire site on Tuesday morning.The museum’s galleries and library archives were sealed from smoke by a state-of-the-art air handling system. Double wall construction provides great protection for your collection.
“We appreciate the tireless efforts of the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department and other agencies, and the presence of fire engines on scene throughout the day, to keep Villa and its staff safe.”
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