Los Angeles Officials Arrest Palisades Fire Suspect
Los Angeles officials announced that they have apprehended the suspect who they believed started the Palisades fire in the western part of the city. NBC News reported that Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas made the announcement on Monday morning during a news conference.
It can be remembered that the brush fire prompted at least 1,000 evacuations in the Pacific Palisades community of Los Angeles and endangered at least 500 homes in the community. The livestock in the area was also transferred to an emergency animal shelter built in Pierce College.
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Palisades Suspect Arrested
The arson suspect was arrested on Sunday around 2:30 in the afternoon near the fire zone after the fire zone after another person was detained but released, said Fire Chief Terrazas in the news conference. Terrazas also underscore that they feel they have the "right person," adding that an investigation is still ongoing.
Authorities noted that the suspect is treated for smoke inhalation on Monday. Los Angeles officials did not further any details about the suspect, such as the identity and what specifically led to the apprehension.
Officials highlighted that the Palisades fire is the result of at least two different fires that might have been started by an arsonist near Santa Ynez Falls around 10 in the evening on Friday before another flame was kindled nearby.
"There wasn't enough wind for embers. Under normal conditions you would consider that [spreading of fire]," said Chief Terrazas emphasizing that multiple points of origins of the fire will make people think what happened was natural.
Regardless of what caused the Palisades fire, USA Today noted that the officials and residents of California are bracing themselves for the fire season this year. This is because the state underwent two consecutive winters of below-average rainfall that made most of the state in drought condition. Due to the phenomenon, millions of acres and terrains in the state are ready to burn.
What Happened in the Palisades Fire?
As of late Monday morning, the fire has burned at least 1,325 acres. Authorities also noted that the fire was still in zero percent containment by late Monday morning. However, USA Today noted that the tally for both is expected to grow.
Firefighters have relied on aircraft that drop water due to the rugged and steep terrain the fire is ignited to. The approach was limited to the helicopters overnight and airplanes with fire retardant were dangerous in the morning because of the foggy conditions. About 540 firefighters from agencies in Southern California responded over the weekend and on Monday.
"We're putting everything we can on this," said Mayor Garcetti.
Terrazas said that the size of the Palisades Fire does not usually occur in Los Angeles during May. The fire chief also acknowledged that they have to "think of brush fire" as a challenge all year round. In 2020, fire season set records of burning 4.25 million acres with nearly 10,000 blazes.
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WATCH: Officials Suspect Arson In The Pacific Palisades Fire - from CBS Los Angeles