Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James tweeted early Monday morning that he and his family had to evacuate their home because of the wildfires that are blazing throughout California.
Early Monday, a brush fire broke out along the west side of Interstate 405 in Los Angeles, north of Sunset Boulevard and near the Getty Center. As of 7:45 a.m. PT, the fire, which begin at 1:30 a.m. PT, was moving westward and had grown to more than 500 acres, with approximately 10,000 homes and commercial buildings under mandatory evacuation orders.
Said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti: "Get out when we say get out."
Footage from motorists traveling down 405 Freeway shows fire that erupted on hillside near Getty Center museum in Southern California. https://t.co/6ivdt5T21Z pic.twitter.com/ZCUhsWcG3I
— ABC News (@ABC) October 28, 2019
The Los Angeles Fire Department called the fire "a very dynamic situation" due to high winds from 15-20 mph, and that approximately 500 firefighters are grappling with the blaze.
Among the areas evacuated was the Brentwood neighborhood where James bought a house when he joined the Lakers in 2018. He tweeted just before 4 a.m. PT that the fire was "no joke."
Man these LA 🔥 aren't no joke. Had to emergency evacuate my house and I've been driving around with my family trying to get rooms. No luck so far! 🤦🏾♂️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 28, 2019
Finally found a place to accommodate us! Crazy night man!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 28, 2019
I 🙏🏾 for all the families in the area that could be affected by these 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 now! Pretty please get to safety ASAP
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 28, 2019
My best wishes as well to the first responders⛑ right now doing what they do best! 🙏🏾💪🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 28, 2019
The LAFD the fire roared up slopes to the city's Mountaingate area and westward into canyon and ridgeline neighborhoods of Brentwood. The evacuation warning area has been expanded southwestward through Pacific Palisades to the ocean.
Fire conditions statewide made California "a tinderbox,'' said Jonathan Cox, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Of the state's 58 counties, 43 were under red flag warnings for high fire danger Sunday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to the wildfires, powered by gusts that reached more than 102 mph.
The Lakers next play at Staples Center on Tuesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
