Fire spans 200 acres and forces evacuations

A massive fire spanning several hundred acres has ravaged the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, forcing the area to be evacuated.

NBC News Los Angeles reported that the morning brush fire spanned more than 200 acres, growing exponentially from the two acres it was reported to have grown from. Joel Pollak, editor-in-chief of Breitbart News, documented the fire as the area was evacuated.

By the point of sale:

According to LAFD, it was reported around 10:30 a.m. near the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive. Homes are at risk and some structures may have already burned.

Traffic was backed up on nearby Pacific Coast Highway.

At 2:50 p.m. ET, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) urged residents to follow evacuation warnings.

“Firefighters are now actively and aggressively responding to #PalisadesFire with the support of regional partners,” she wrote.

“Area Angelenos are urged to heed evacuation warnings and follow the instructions of public safety officials,” she added.

The Associated Press reports that the fire forced students at three area campuses to relocate.

Another fire broke out in the Hollywood Hills after starting on West Hollywood Boulevard, NBC Los Angeles noted. Firefighters managed to stop the spread of the fire.

The infernos come as parts of Southern California, from Santa Barabra to the Mexican border, are under red flag warnings for high winds and a high risk of fires due to a strong wind storm in Santa Ana.

This story is developing.