This is a developing story and will be updated. The latest information about the fire can be found here:

The Palisades Fire, which broke out Tuesday morning in the Santa Monica Mountains, displaced hundreds of residents, some of them on foot as they tried to escape advancing flames pushed by extremely strong winds.

The fire was reported around 10:20 a.m. and immediately began racing toward the community of Pacific Palisades, burning 772 acres around 2:30 p.m. Video from our partners at KCAL News showed people walking onto Sunset Boulevard toward Pacific Coast Highway after being notified by officers to abandon their cars and walk to safety. Many were seen holding bags and pets as they made their way to the sea.

Around 2 p.m., footage showed several buildings on fire. However, the extent of the damage was unclear and officials did not immediately have an initial assessment.

The fire is being driven by dangerously strong wind gusts, which are not expected to increase until Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service said gusts could reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour in some mountain locations.

Don’t be surprised if the fire reaches the sea.

The basics

• Cultivated area: 772 acres as of Tuesday at 2:20 p.m
• Containment: 0%
• Destroyed structures: Unclear
• Cause: Unclear

Evacuation map and orders

At 11:52 a.m., the LA County Fire Department issued evacuation orders through the state’s Wireless Emergency Alert System.

Evacuation zones are changing rapidly. View the latest interactive map here.

Authorities say those who need additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately, even if they have received evacuation warnings.

Evacuation center

Westwood Leisure Center: 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd. (Accepts small animals)

Road closures

Pacific Coast Highway is closed in both directions at Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

Additional closures as of Tuesday afternoon: southbound PCH at Las Flores Canyon Road; PCH southbound at Topanga Canyon Boulevard; Coastline Drive and PCH southbound. According to the CHP, traffic in these areas will be diverted onto northbound PCH.

Listen to our Big Burn podcast

Wildfire preparedness and response resources