LOS ANGELES — The wildfires that have devastated some of Los Angeles’ most scenic neighborhoods continued to expand on Wednesday, with emergency responders grappling with three major uncontrolled blazes that have claimed at least five lives.
While winds had calmed somewhat, firefighters from across California, as well as neighboring states, were stepping in to relieve exhausted teams. However, the situation remained critical, as authorities reported the emergence of a new fire in the Hollywood Hills, prompting expanded evacuation orders that now included Santa Monica.
Over 1,000 structures, predominantly homes, have been lost to the flames, affecting more than 130,000 residents in and around the metropolitan area, which stretches from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena. This number is constantly changing as new fires erupt in the region.
The air over Los Angeles was thick with smoke, and at least seven schools sustained damage or were destroyed, according to officials.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that firefighters from various parts of the state have converged to assist, bolstered by air support fighting the flames. However, she cautioned that firefighters still faced unpredictable winds, although they were not as intense as those on Tuesday evening, when significant destruction occurred.
In Pasadena, Fire Chief Chad Augustin estimated that between 200 and 500 structures were either damaged or completely destroyed due to the Eaton Fire, which ignited late Tuesday amid hurricane-strength winds. He noted that water supplies were strained and outages complicated efforts, but even those issues would not have sufficed to stop the fire as embers spread rapidly, igniting homes block by block.
“We were unable to contain that fire last night,” he remarked, adding that the gusty winds propelled embers several miles ahead of the blaze.
On the Pacific Coast, west of downtown Los Angeles, a significant fire in Pacific Palisades caused entire blocks to be razed, taking out businesses including grocery stores and banks. The destruction from the Palisades fire marks one of the most catastrophic in modern Los Angeles history, with numerous injuries reported among residents and first responders, according to LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
Devastating images depicted luxurious residences reduced to rubble, blackened swimming pools, and sports cars rendered immobile on melted tires. LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath shared a somber reflection, stating, “This morning, we woke up to a dark cloud over all of Los Angeles. But it is darkest for those who are most intimately impacted by these fires. It has been an immensely painful 24 hours.”
The flames are advancing toward affluent communities, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, typically associated with Hollywood’s elite. Celebrities like Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and James Woods have also been forced to evacuate.
In Palisades Village, several significant businesses, including a public library and two major grocery chains, have been obliterated.
“It’s surreal to come back to a place that has vanished,” remarked Dylan Vincent, who returned to retrieve belongings and discovered his elementary school in ashes, along with entire segments of his neighborhood.
The wildfires have consumed approximately 42 square miles, nearly equating to the size of San Francisco.
Pasadena producer and director Jennie Girardo expressed her shock when a neighbor came to check on her. “Opening my door felt like stepping into a fireplace,” she described. “I had never seen ash falling like that before; it was like it was raining ash.”
The rapid spread of flames gave little time for residents to escape. Emergency responders sought refuge in their patrol vehicles as residents at a senior living facility were evacuated in wheelchairs and hospital beds to safety.
One fire swept through Pacific Palisades, an upscale residential area, blocking escape routes for many. In the scramble for safety, numerous individuals abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some carrying suitcases.
Kelsey Trainor, who managed to escape, described the chaos, sharing, “People were getting out of their cars with dogs, babies, and bags, all while ash was falling around us and the fire raged on either side.”
Historically, California’s wildfire season typically runs from June to October, as outlined by the Western Fire Chiefs Association, but fires in January have occurred before—most notably in both 2021 and 2022. Recent data indicates that the wildfire season is starting earlier and extending further due to climate-induced rising temperatures and decreased rainfall.
California’s dryness is exacerbated by hot winds, including the Santa Ana winds, and Southern California has not experienced more than 0.1 inches of rain since early May. Wednesday reports indicated winds reaching 80 mph, with expectations of surpassing 100 mph in certain mountainous and hilly regions.
President Joe Biden announced plans to sign a federal emergency declaration after meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom at a fire station in Santa Monica. In a post, Newsom confirmed the deployment of over 1,400 firefighting personnel and National Guard troops to combat the widespread fires.
“We are certainly not out of danger yet,” LA City Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley said.
The uncontrollable flames have swept through Temescal Canyon, a popular hiking site in an area known for high-value homes, and they’ve encroached upon the Palisades Charter High School, infamous for its appearances in various films and TV shows, such as “Carrie” and “Teen Wolf.” Numerous Hollywood productions have paused or ceased operations, while Universal Studios temporarily closed its theme park.
As the Pacific Palisades inferno expanded, it surpassed previous records, becoming the most destructive fire in modern Los Angeles history with an estimated 1,000 structures have already been lost. This devastation far exceeds that of the Sayre Fire in 2008, which destroyed just over 600 structures.
Additionally, residents have been urged to conserve water amidst the fire crisis. While the city’s water systems remain effective for general use, they are not equipped specifically for wildfire response.
The threat has led to the closure of more than 100 schools due to fire risks, with five schools in Altadena reportedly suffering severe damage. Schools in Pasadena will remain closed until the end of the week, and two elementary schools in Pacific Palisades serving over 700 students have been completely lost.
In response to safety concerns regarding high winds and fire dangers, thousands of Southern California Edison customers have faced power shutdowns, and 1.5 million customers could potentially face service interruptions depending on the evolving weather conditions.
Various iconic Southern California landmarks have suffered extensive damage, including the Reel Inn, a seafood restaurant in Malibu. Owner Teddy Leonard remains hopeful for recovery, stating, “In the grand scheme of things, as long as your family is safe and everyone’s alive, you’re still winning, right?”
