(NewsNation) — Ellen Bacher abandoned her car while fleeing the wildfire in Pacific Palisades Highlands after police approached her and said, “Get out of your car, run for your life, and head toward the ocean.”
Bacher, who has lived in the Highland section for 38 years, said her community knows there’s only one road in and one way out, though they’ve always had a fire lane.
“The problem with this particular fire is the fire lane was on fire,” Bacher said during a Tuesday appearance on “Banfield.” “The bottom of Palisades Drive was on fire, so most people were trapped.”
Bacher compared her day to the aftermath of 9/11, expressing gratitude for reaching safety with her family now safe in Long Beach.
Palisades fire causes state of emergency declaration
The rapidly moving blaze has spread to more than 2,900 acres, prompting mandatory immediate evacuations of nearby residents. There are 250 LAFD firefighters on scene, along with 46 engines, three trucks and five helicopters, officials said. Roughly 30,000 residents from 10,000 households have been ordered to evacuate.
Click here to view the LAPD’s interactive evacuation zone map.
“Angelenos should be advised that the windstorm is expected to worsen tonight through tomorrow morning and to heed warnings, stay vigilant and stay safe,” the city recommended.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said he reached out to President Joe Biden, who was in California when the blaze began and has started the process for receiving emergency funds. Newsom has declared a state of emergency.
NewsNation’s Anna Kutz contributed to this report.