The Getty Center, a renowned cultural institution in Los Angeles, has initiated an evacuation process due to an expanded evacuation order related to the Palisades Fire. The museum is currently being evacuated, with only a small team of emergency personnel remaining on-site.
The new evacuation order, prompted by the Palisades Fire, now includes the area up to Interstate 405 and the Encino Reservoir, which borders one of the busiest freeways in Los Angeles and encompasses the Getty Center.
Not only the Getty Center but also its sister location, the Getty Villa, faced threats from the Palisades Fire this week. The Getty Villa, known for housing Greek and Roman artifacts, is situated in Pacific Palisades, an affluent coastal neighborhood that has been significantly impacted by the fire.
Years of proactive fire mitigation efforts, such as clearing nearby brush and installing an on-site water tank, have played a crucial role in safeguarding the Getty Center's valuable $10 billion collection. Despite some vegetation and trees on the property being affected by the fire, the Getty structures remain unharmed. The president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, Katherine E. Fleming, expressed relief in a statement on Wednesday, confirming that both the staff and the collections are safe.
