Long Beach firefighters deployed to help battle Pacific Palisades fire

More than a dozen Long Beach firefighters deployed Tuesday afternoon to help extinguish the Pacific Palisades fire and mitigate damages, according to fire officials.

The blaze started as a brush fire around 10:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of Piedra Morada Drive, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. It has since burned through 2,920 acres as heavy winds continue to work against fire crews, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

As of 11:09 p.m., the fire is 0% contained, the department posted on X.

Meanwhile, more than 30,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, according to the Los Angeles Times. It's unclear if there have been any injuries.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday visited Pacific Palisades and met with local fire officials. Newsom declared a state of emergency and has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, "to ensure the availability of vital resources" to fight the rapidly spreading fire, according to his office.

The 14 Long Beach firefighters, along with members of Torrance and Redondo Beach fire departments, were sent to provide additional support just before 4 p.m., according to LBFD spokesperson Jake Heflin.

"Long Beach resources are actively fighting fires at this incident," Heflin said. "They're in the thick of it."

Typically when helping other agencies as part of a strike team, LBFD crews can be there for up to 14 days, Heflin said.

The LBFD has since reached out to its off-duty firefighters to help make up the resources sent to help out in the Pacific Palisades.

"We want to make sure the community is still well-staffed," Heflin said.

Another fire in the Eaton Canyon area of Pasadena started earlier this evening and has also prompted evacuations as it continues to grow past 400 acres. Officials with the Angeles National Forest were urging anyone in the area to leave immediately.

A third fire in Sylmar is currently burning through 50 acres and is growing at rapid speed, according to the LAFD.

Videos on X show dozens of houses engulfed in flames, embers flying through the sky, and people leaving their cars on the road as they evacuate.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the firefighters and first responders during this emergency," Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement just after 11 p.m., adding that the fire is "no joke."

"The City of Long Beach is ready to support fire suppression and evacuation efforts in any way we can," he continued. "Please take all warnings by local officials seriously, and follow official LAFD and LBFD channels for updates."

Evacuation centers have been established in the following areas:

• Westwood Recreation Center (1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles)

• El Camino Real Charter School (5440 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills)

• Pasadena Civic Center (300 East Green St., Pasadena)

•Los Angeles Equestrian Center (480 Riverside Dr., Burbank)* for large animals