The Palisades Fire, already among the most devastating natural disasters in Los Angeles history, made a dangerous shift late Friday night, threatening major population centers.
After leveling the iconic Pacific Palisades neighborhood and ravaging beachside communities, the inferno turned north toward the San Fernando Valley and east toward UCLA.
Blaze Creeps Toward the Valley and UCLA
Fire crews scrambled to contain the northern spread of the flames, which edged perilously close to Encino and Tarzana, according to aerial footage from Sky5. The fire advanced near the critical junction of the 101 and 405 Freeways, prompting officials to close key freeway exits to limit traffic into the Valley. These closures included:
- Getty Center Drive (both directions)
- Skirball Center Drive (both directions)
- Southbound Sunset Blvd., Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica Blvd., and Olympic/Pico Blvd.
Evacuations Expand Across the City
Tens of thousands remain under evacuation orders or warnings. Mandatory evacuations stretched from Pacific Palisades to the Pacific Ocean, covering parts of Santa Monica, Malibu, and Topanga. Areas of Calabasas, Tarzana, and Encino remain under evacuation warnings.
The fire’s eastern movement also threatened Westwood and UCLA. On Friday night, the UCLA Police Department alerted the university community to prepare for possible evacuations, as warnings near the campus could escalate.
The Scope of the Devastation
As of 6:38 a.m. Saturday, the fire had burned 21,596 acres and was just 11% contained. It claimed at least two lives, destroyed an estimated 5,000 structures, and caused damage expected to total tens of billions of dollars.
More than 3,700 firefighters, 24 helicopters, and 463 engines are battling the blaze, which erupted Tuesday morning and quickly grew out of control due to hurricane-strength Santa Ana winds. Entire neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades were flattened within minutes, and the area’s iconic downtown was completely destroyed.
Critical Fire Weather Continues
Dry conditions and high winds persist, raising the risk of further spread. Cal Fire has warned that critical fire weather conditions could worsen on Saturday, complicating containment efforts.
As Los Angeles braces for another challenging day, the city remains on high alert, with evacuation zones and firefighting resources stretched to their limits.
