A rapidly spreading wildfire in Southern California reached the grounds of the Getty Villa Museum north of Santa Monica on Tuesday, but authorities said no structures were burned and the collection was safe.
The Palisades Fire, fueled by strong winds and causing mass evacuations in Los Angeles County, burned some trees and vegetation on the Getty Villa grounds, but museum leaders said the galleries and archives were protected. said that it was done.
The villa is located on the Pacific Coast Highway, approximately 16 miles from the affiliated Getty Center, the world-famous museum’s main museum site.
Katherine E. Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, said the Getty Villa “has undertaken extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year. ” it said in a statement early Tuesday evening. The fire had reached some of the vegetation on the property, but “staff and collections are safe,” she said.
Mr Fleming said fire safety measures at the villa included on-site water storage and irrigation was quickly deployed across the property on Tuesday morning, adding: handling system. The double-walled structure of the gallery provides great protection for the collection. ”
A video circulating on social media showing greenery burning near the Getty Villa sign appeared to be from the driveway entrance and a nearby building separate from the villa.
The Palisades Fire started around 10:30 a.m. and had burned nearly 3,000 acres by evening. Unusual and intense winds spread the fire, burning homes and forcing thousands to evacuate the wealthy coastal community of Pacific Palisades.
The Villa is a free museum housing Greek and Roman antiquities in a recreated Roman country house. It was immediately closed to non-emergency personnel Tuesday morning and will remain open to the public until at least next Monday.
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The Getty Center, which houses museums and research institutes, has also been at risk from nearby fires in the past, but extensive precautionary plans have been put in place to protect its vast collections.
