(Bloomberg) -- A major commuter artery in Los Angeles closed Wednesday morning and some of the city’s wealthiest estates, including Rupert Murdoch’s Moraga vineyard, were ordered evacuated as Southern California firefighters battled several wind-fanned wildfires.

Stretches of Interstate 405 were shut and neighborhoods near the freeway and Mulholland Drive, including parts of Bel-Air, were being evacuated, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Residents were warned by text messages.

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Skirball fire


The 405 connects the San Fernando Valley to Santa Monica and other major job centers on the west side of Los Angeles. Flames were visible from the road, according to photos posted on social media. About 220 firefighters are on the scene of what is being called the Skirball fire, due to its proximity to the Skirball Cultural Center, a Jewish museum and events space.

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