Stay Vigilant as Fire Risks Continue
High winds and low humidity will keep Red Flag Warnings in place through tomorrow. At 0% containment, the Palisades Fire is still a threat to Brentwood. According to the National Weather Service, this is what we can expect for the weather through tomorrow:
After a brief reprieve from dangerous fire weather conditions across the Southern California Coast, critical fire weather will ramp up again as strong Santa Ana winds strengthen once again. While winds won't be nearly as strong as the past few days, terrain induced winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 to 60 mph will still be strong enough to be of concern. Combined with low relative humidity and dry fuels, the potential exists for ongoing fires to worsen and new ignitions to rapidly spread. Dangerous conditions are expected to continue tonight before waning Friday morning.
Mandeville Canyon Activity Update
The most recent information from our neighbors in Mandeville indicates that the Palisades Fire has moved eastward and is now in Sullivan Canyon. LAFD is doing all that it can to prevent the fire from jumping over the ridge and coming into Westridge and then Mandeville. Water dropping planes have been recruited from places as far away as Quebec. Fire and police personnel are in the area, which is part of the mandatory evacuation area.
To Evacuate or Not to Evacuate
Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect up to Kenter. If you reside in the mandatory evacuation area, please leave immediately. These orders are for our safety and to provide clear access for the firefighters who need to respond quickly from the street and the air. Your presence puts you in danger and will not help save your home from a fast moving wind driven fire.
If you do not reside in the mandatory evacuation area, you may choose to evacuate now if you cannot evacuate at a moment's notice i.e. you have mobility issues, small children or animals, chronic illness, require extra time. Or you may decide to leave if you have some place to go and want to be proactive in leaving early.
If you do decide to stay, please be prepared.
- actively monitor fire activity
- Watch Duty
- LAFD
- CALFIRE
- local news
- weather channels
- prepare yourself and your home for evacuation
- pack your bags and leave them by the door
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park your car in your driveway facing the street (with a full tank of gas)
- make sure your electronics stay fully charged as well as your external batteries
- keep flashlights out in case of power outages with new batteries
-
remove any debris, dead leaves or fallen branches from around your home that could easily catch fire
- sleep with hearing aids, if necessary, so you hear any emergency alerts during the night
- keep your clothes and shoes near your bed
-
unlock your gates when you evacuate to provide easy access for firefighters
These are just some ways. For more suggestions, check out our Evacuation Checklist.
Security Concerns
We are in contact with LAPD about potential criminal activity in our area as well as “fire tourists“ in the area. Our friends in Crestwood Hills and the top of Kenter and Tigertail have seen people parking in the area trying to get photos of the fires. Parked cars on already narrow streets is a potential hazard during this time when we need to keep the streets clear for evacuations and emergency equipment. With the police and other City agencies stretched thin, we can help. If you are concerned about an unfamiliar car staying too long, contact your security firm for assistance in moving these vehicles out of the area. We all need to work together to keep our area safe.
