Tens of thousands have fled their homes as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades has burned more than 17,200 acres as of Wednesday. Fire crews are actively working to contain the flames and stop any forward progress.

The Getty Villa activated its emergency operations center at 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, and within two hours, the fast-moving blaze had reached the grounds. Here's how the staff, museum and precious art were kept safe.

The Getty Villa, which is already closed to the public on Tuesdays, was “swiftly closed” to non-emergency staff after the fire started in the morning.

The galleries and library archives on-site were sealed off from smoke and “remain safe” The post Getty Villa Museum Grounds Burned in Palisades Fire appeared first on TheWrap.

Five people have died, but officials say the death toll is likely to be higher. More than 2,000 structures have burned and at least 130,000 residents are under evacuation orders. Experts say L.A. is not out of danger yet and these fires have the potential to be the costliest wildfire disaster

Firefighters on Jan. 7 battled the raging flames of the Eaton Fire in Pasadena, California, where homes were burned to their bare skeletal structures.

Several homes in the area have burned, but the neighborhood’s famous trees, decorated each year for the holidays, did not appear to be ablaze at mid-day.

About 1,600 policies for Pacific Palisades homeowners were dropped by State Farm in July, the state insurance office says.

The Pacific Palisades area ravaged by wildfires in Los Angeles is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., home to Hollywood A-Listers and multimillion dollar mansions. And ahead of this week's disaster,

"Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill was among the thousands who evacuated Los Angeles. Other stars, including Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal, have lost their LA homes.