LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — A wind-whipped brush fire is burning in Pacific Palisades, and large plumes of smoke can be seen for miles, but one well-known actor is jumping in to help.
Residents evacuating the area were met with slow traffic along Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard near Highland Village. Numerous fire engines were in the area as crews battled the nearby flames.
During this time, many have jumped into action, like actor Steve Guttenberg who lives nearby.
The actor told Nexstar's KTLA that he has friends who are unable to evacuate because of the traffic jam on Palisades Drive.
"There are people stuck up there. So we're trying to clear Palisades Drive and I'm walking up there as far as I can moving cars," he revealed, pointing up to the hill where traffic was slowly making its way down.
"There are families up there, there are pets up there. There are people who really need help," he said with worry in his voice.
Wearing a facemask, the "It Takes Two" actor explained how important it is for everyone to "band together" during this time of need.
"Don't worry about your personal property. Just get out. Get your loved ones and get out."
He told Nexstar's KTLA that he's urging people who have left their cars on Palisades Drive to leave their keys behind so they can move the cars to make room for incoming fire trucks.
"What's happening is people take their keys with them as if they're in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars," the "Police Academy" actor explained. "If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there."
Generally, officials recommend people stay in their cars while evacuating and advise against abandoning their vehicles.
The brush fire was first reported at around 10:30 a.m. PT on Tuesday and has burned 200 acres as of 12:30 p.m.
The fire comes after the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for much of Southern California on Tuesday and Wednesday. The NWS described the windstorm hitting SoCal as “life-threatening,” “extreme” and “destructive."
