SEPULVEDA PASS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A fire erupted on a hillside along the 405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass area early Monday morning.

The fire broke out on a hill around 1:30 a.m. close to the southbound side of the 405 Freeway at Getty Center Drive near the Getty Center museum. It quickly burned 75 acres and jumped the freeway.

The California Highway Patrol said homes in the area were being threatened and all offramps on the southbound side from Sepulveda to Sunset Boulevard were shut down.

Mandatory evacuations were issued for the MountainGate and Mandeville Canyon communities as early as 2:40 a.m. The freeway remained opened for the moment to allow evacuees to leave the area.

Mount Saint Mary's University at 12001 Chalon Road was also being evacuated, along with a senior living center at 11999 Chalon Road, officials said.

Evacuation centers were set up at the Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 South Sepulveda and the Van Nuys / Sherman Oaks Recreation Center at 14201 Huston St.

For animals, evacuation centers were established at West Valley Animal Shelter 20655 Plummer St. and West L.A. Animal Shelter 11361 W. Pico Bl.

Evacuation warning from Mulholland Drive down to Sunset Boulevard and from the 405 Freeway to Pacific Coast Highway.

An emergency alert message was sent around 2:45 a.m. notifying residents on the need to evacuate due to the blaze.

Southern California is bracing for the return of Santa Ana winds as it remains under red flag conditions Monday. Several blazes ravaged the area last week as the combination of Santa Ana winds, low humidity and hot temperatures created dangerous fire conditions.
It was not immediately known what caused the fire.
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