2 Injured In Pacific Palisades Fire, More Than 40 Acres Burned

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Flames chewed through heavy brush and came dangerously close to homes Monday as a brush fire forced residents in Pacific Palisades to evacuate.

The approximately 40-acre fire was reported about 10:40 a.m. near the 500 block of North Palisades Drive and was burning uphill, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Two people were said to be injured, LAFD officials said in an afternoon press conference. One firefighter was said to have sustained a minor injury and a civilian was taken to the hospital complaining of respiratory distress.

Mandatory evacuation orders were in place for about 200 homes in the Charmel / Bienveneda / Merivale / Lachman areas even as crews made good progress by midday, but were lifted by 8:20 p.m.

Super Scoopers and water-dropping helicopters were deployed to douse the flames.

Residents were seen evacuating homes along Vista Grande Drive and Charmel Lane.

SKY2 showed some homeowners using garden hoses in an effort to beat back flames nearing their backyards, while others were seen running down their driveways as structure-protection fire crews arrived on scene.

There was no immediate cause for the fire. Arson investigators were on scene.