As wildfires rage on in Los Angeles, new evacuation orders on Saturday afternoon included the Getty Center, which houses one of the city’s most beloved art collections.

The alert for residents in Brentwood, located to the west of the 405 freeway, follows a recent threat to the museum’s other location, the Getty Villa. Both the Getty Center and Getty Villa will remain closed until at least January 16.

As of Saturday morning, the Getty Center was “following” evacuation procedures and was shut down, with only emergency personnel present, said Alexandria Sivak, a representative for the museum, to the YSL News Network.

Here’s what you need to know about the Getty Center as the wildfires continue to blaze in the Los Angeles area.

What is the Getty Center?

Since its opening in 1997, the Getty Center has served as a vital part of the Getty Trust, featuring a museum, library, and vast gardens.

The museum houses an extensive collection of European art, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and various exhibitions. One of its most notable pieces is Vincent Van Gogh’s “Irises.”

Is the Getty Center Fireproof?

Engineered with wildfire safety in mind, the Getty Center has previously been called “the safest place for art during a fire.”

In October 2019, when a 600-acre fire threatened the area, the museum reported it didn’t need to evacuate artworks because they were secure on the premises.

“We have a very significant building here,” said Mike Rogers, the museum’s facilities director, in a 2019 article. “It was thoughtfully designed, meticulously maintained, and we take great care of it. I’m very proud of our incredible team. We feel very safe here.”

The museum’s structures utilize fire-resistant materials such as stone and concrete, complemented by steel that is also protected against fire. Its roofs are covered with fire-resistant stone aggregate, and there are fire separations that ensure doors can confine specific areas to prevent fire spread.

Additionally, drought-resistant landscaping and a robust irrigation system contribute to fire defense.

Is the Getty Villa Safe from Fires?

According to a post on the museum’s Instagram page, as of January 10, the Getty Villa remains safe — including its staff, artworks, and facilities.

While the fires impacted some trees and vegetation on the museum’s grounds, officials reassured the public that extensive “fire mitigation measures” were implemented to safeguard the collection. The villa is located off the Pacific Coast Highway in the Pacific Palisades area, which has experienced some of the most severe wildfire activity.

“Naturally, we are deeply worried about our neighbors in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the nearby regions,” stated Katherine E. Fleming, President and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, which runs the museum, in a statement made earlier this week. “Fortunately, Getty has put in significant effort to remove brush from the surrounding area as part of our fire prevention initiatives throughout the year.”