California Fires Continue to Spread, Evacuations Ordered in Encino and Brentwood

The Palisades fire has expanded, spreading across the Los Angeles region and threatening homes in the wealthy neighborhoods of Encino and Brentwood. The fire, currently at 21,596 acres, has prompted officials to issue evacuation orders for large swaths of these areas, including MountainGate Country Club and the Getty Center.

The Getty Center, home to one of the largest art collections in Los Angeles, has been evacuated and closed to the public, with only emergency staff remaining on site. This is the second time the Getty Center has been threatened by a wildfire, with the Getty fire in 2019 coming close to the museum’s campus but not affecting its collections.

Other areas under evacuation warning include parts of Encino, including the Gelson’s supermarket, and a portion of Bel Air. Residents of these areas are advised to follow the evacuation orders to ensure their safety.

The fire has also raised concerns about air quality, with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health declaring a local health emergency due to the fires and poor air quality. Residents are advised to close windows and doors to keep indoor air clean and wear masks when outdoors.

The improved weather conditions are expected to deteriorate soon, with gusty Santa Ana winds predicted to return by Saturday night and a high wind watch expected to begin at 6 p.m.

Information Summary:

• The Palisades fire has expanded and is currently at 21,596 acres.
• Evacuation orders have been issued for large swaths of Encino and Brentwood, including MountainGate Country Club and the Getty Center.
• The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has declared a local health emergency due to the fires and poor air quality.
• Residents are advised to close windows and doors to keep indoor air clean and wear masks when outdoors.
• Gusty Santa Ana winds are predicted to return by Saturday night and a high wind watch is expected to begin at 6 p.m.
• Questions are being raised over Los Angeles officials’ handling of the fire disaster and the water shortages that hampered firefighting efforts.

Note: This rewritten article aims to provide a clearer and more concise summary of the news while highlighting the key points and related tags to improve its SEO value.