A recent Wall Street Journal article details the extraordinary measures taken by the J. Paul Getty Museum to protect its collections during the recent Los Angeles wildfires. Key points include:
- Proactive Preparedness: The Getty has invested heavily in fire prevention over the years, including fire-resistant architecture (concrete walls, tile roofs, crushed rock roofing), specialized landscaping (water-absorbing plants, cleared brush), and advanced sprinkler and air filtration systems.
- On-the-Ground Defense: During the fires, museum staff worked around the clock, patrolling the grounds and extinguishing embers.
- Multiple Layers of Protection: The Getty Villa and Getty Center both feature multiple layers of defense, from building materials and design to sophisticated technology and emergency protocols. The Getty Villa has an elaborate sprinkler system and fire-resistant construction, while the Getty Center benefits from vast open spaces and water-absorbing landscaping.
- Success Story: Despite flames reaching within 6 feet of the Getty Villa, both campuses and their valuable art collections remained unharmed, showcasing the effectiveness of the museum's comprehensive disaster preparedness strategy. The article highlights the importance of proactive measures and the Getty's substantial resources in successfully mitigating the fire threat.
Crow, Kelly. "The Extraordinary Defense of the Getty Museum Against the L.A. Fires." The Wall Street Journal, 14 Jan. 2025
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