Los Angeles fires latest: 30,000 under evacuation order as Pacific Palisades fire spreads
The City of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency on Tuesday.
Over 250 firefighters battle LA brush fires: OfficialsThe Los Angeles Fire Department issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents in the Pacific Palisades area, from Merrimac…Show More
A fast-moving brush fire erupted Tuesday in Los Angeles, threatening homes and triggering thousands of evacuations, as dangerous wind conditions and unseasonably dry, warm weather sweep Southern California.
The Pacific Palisades fire, which grew to nearly 1,300 acres by 3:30 p.m. local time, was first reported before 11 a.m. and quickly prompted thousands of evacuations across the region and into Malibu.
From the mountains to the coast, huge swaths of smoke and flames rose from the area as fire crews battled the wind-driven blaze.
Flames close in on homes threatened by the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025.
Evacuation orders were in place for approximately 30,000 residents and more than 10,000 homes were threatened, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
No injuries had been reported as of Tuesday afternoon.
The City of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency over the massive fire.
A helicopter drops water around homes threatened by the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025.
David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images
Wind conditions were expected to worsen into the evening and through the night, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone.
“We are not out of danger,” Marrone told reporters during a briefing. “The National Weather Service has predicted that the winds are going to pick up and get worse.”
The strongest winds are expected between 10 p.m. Tuesday into 5 a.m. Wednesday, he said. Residents in the area were told to have an evacuation plan in order.
Fire officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for thousands of residents in the area from Merrimac Road west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to Pacific Coast Highway. Those not under evacuation orders are being asked to shelter in place.
An aircraft flies to drop fire retardant over the area of a wildfire burning near Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles during a weather…Show more
Daniel Cole/Reuters
Traffic gridlock clogged major streets in the Pacific Palisades area including Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard. The LAFD said approximately 30 vehicles left abandoned on Sunset and Palisades would be moved by the county to provide clear access.
Sections of the 10 Freeway and Pacific Coast Highway were closed to all non-essential traffic on Tuesday afternoon.
PHOTO: A wildfire burns near Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles
Smoke rises from a wildfire burning near Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles during a weather driven windstorm, in Los
Life threatening’ windstorm to increase fire danger in Southern California: NWS
A separate brush fire threatened the West Hollywood area Tuesday morning, with crews working to contain the blaze on Sunset Boulevard between San Vicente and Crescent Heights.
Will Adams uses a garden hose to keep flames from damaging his home as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of…
The cause of both fires is currently under investigation, according to Cal Fire.
A “life-threatening” and “destructive” windstorm is also expected from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning across much of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, according to the National Weather Service. Areas that are not typically windy will also be impacted, the agency said.
