Flames encircle L.A. museum as thousands flee
California’s fast-moving flames came dangerously close to the Getty Center Monday, a world class art museum high above the 405 freeway in Los Angeles.
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said this latest brushfire broke out in the early morning hours and that no cause is known.
(SOUND BITE) (ENGLISH) LOS ANGELES MAYOR ERIC GARCETTI, SAYING:
“This is a fire that quickly spread, that is now over 500 acres. We have over 500 firefighters that are on the line right now in some of the most challenging topography of Los Angeles.”
Thousands of residents fled, including L.A. Lakers star LeBron James, who tweeted, “Man these L.A. fires are no joke. Had to emergency evacuate my house and I’ve been driving around with my family trying to get rooms.”
James urged others to get to safety.
Officials at the Getty said the fire was burning to the north of the building, which was designed with thick stone walls to prevent fire from damaging its treasures.
It’s the latest outbreak in nearly a week of wildfires that that have scorched parts of the state.
The Kincade fire in the north has ravaged California’s wine country, including this historic Soda Rock winery.
(SOUND BITE) (ENGLISH) CAL FIRE DIVISION CHIEF JONATHAN COX, SAYING:
"The fire has grown to 66,000 acres and is still five percent contained. The fire is still threatening just under 80,000 homes, predominantly in Sonoma County."
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency Sunday, as high winds and low humidity continue to fan the flames.
More than a million homes and businesses were without power Monday morning, most from planned outages by utility company Pacific Gas & Electric to prevent further damage.
Newsom has called this excessive and criticized the company for mismanagement.
The bankrupt company is on the hook for billions of dollars from deadly wildfires sparked by its equipment in 2017 and 2018.
The cause of the Kincade fire is not known, but it ignited near a broken wire on a PG&E transmission tower.
