Chaos continues in Southern California as wildfires spread fast and destroy everything in their path. Officials warn of catastrophic losses as flames ravage homes and force thousands to flee. Winds are fueling the infernos, and the situation is worsening.
Palisades inferno forces mass evacuations
Flames tore through Pacific Palisades late Tuesday, destroying homes and displacing over 30,000 residents. Firefighters battled fiercely, but the fire’s power shocked even the experts. “Embers are flying everywhere, igniting new fires instantly,” said Sheila Kelliher of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
By Tuesday night, the blaze had scorched nearly 3,000 acres. Winds picking up overnight made containment impossible. Officials expect more destruction as the fire gains strength. The Pacific Palisades fire began around 10:30 AM and quickly spread to about 4.6 square miles, sending a massive plume of smoke across Los Angeles. This residential area borders Malibu and features streets of densely arranged homes set against the Santa Monica Mountains, down to the sandy beaches along the Pacific coast.
Earlier in the day, another wildfire blazed through the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, known for its coastal celebrity homes, which was famously referenced in the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ USA.” The urgency of evacuating led to roadways becoming congested, as many people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some carrying personal belongings. The gridlock on Palisades Drive hindered emergency service access, prompting the use of a bulldozer to clear a path through the traffic of neglected vehicles. Footage along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway showed extensive damage affecting homes and businesses.
Pasadena faces its own firestorm
In nearby Pasadena, a separate blaze erupted in Eaton Canyon. By nightfall, it had already consumed 1,000 acres and created a terrifying firestorm. By early Wednesday, the Eaton fire, which started earlier, had consumed approximately 1.6 square miles, according to fire department reports. Lisa Derderian, Pasadena’s spokeswoman, described flying embers starting spot fires miles away. Over 100 people, including nursing home residents in wheelchairs and on gurneys, were evacuated. A fire ignited Tuesday evening close to a nature preserve in the inland hills northeast of Los Angeles grew rapidly, forcing staff at a senior living facility to evacuate numerous residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds to nearby parking lots. Those evacuated had to wait in their nightclothes, surrounded by falling embers, until transportation arrived to take them to safety.
Santa Monica on high alert
Santa Monica officials issued evacuation orders for parts of the city. “This is an immediate threat to life,” authorities warned. The affluent city’s northern neighborhoods faced closure as flames crept closer. Meanwhile, a firefighter suffered a serious head injury while battling the blaze.
Winds fuel the devastation
Winds reaching 99 miles per hour were recorded Tuesday night in the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena. The National Weather Service predicts these fierce gusts will continue through Wednesday. Winds from the Santa Ana system, reaching speeds of over 60 mph in some locations, intensified the fire’s spread, with forecasts predicting gusts might exceed 100 mph in higher elevations, especially in regions experiencing a prolonged dry spell.
The strong winds also rendered it unsafe for aerial firefighting operations, complicating the response. In light of these dangerous conditions, the Los Angeles Fire Department made an unusual appeal for off-duty firefighters to assist with the firefighting efforts.
Governor Newsom cautioned residents, emphasizing that they were not yet out of danger and indicated that the most severe wind conditions were expected between late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. He declared a state of emergency for the affected areas. Governor Gavin Newsom visited the area and reported significant home losses.
Officials predict major losses
Los Angeles Councilwoman Traci Park called the situation “devastating.” She expects hundreds of structures to be destroyed. With no containment in sight, resources are stretched thin. David Acuna from CAL Fire confirmed, “There’s no hope of containment tonight. Our focus is saving lives.”
What to know now:
- More fires spread: Eaton Canyon’s brush fire triggered evacuations in Pasadena and Altadena. Smaller fires in the San Fernando Valley are also spreading.
- Damage mounts: Fire Chief Kristin Crowley confirmed multiple structures were damaged. At the Getty Villa, some vegetation burned, but museum collections remain safe.
- Evacuations escalate: Pacific Palisades residents fled amidst heavy traffic and blocked roads. In Malibu, officials urged all residents to prepare for evacuation.
- Power outages: As of Tuesday night, nearly 167,000 people in Los Angeles County were without electricity as a result of the strong winds, according to local outage tracking reports. Utility companies preemptively cut electricity to prevent more fires.
- Dry conditions: The recent dry spell, marked by persistent Santa Ana winds, has exacerbated the already warmer-than-normal temperatures across Southern California, where recent rainfall has been minimal—recording only 0.1 inches since early May.
- Schools close: Classes in Pasadena, Altadena, and Malibu are canceled. Thousands of students are affected as strong winds worsen conditions.
Malibu on edge
By midnight, Malibu officials urged all residents to be ready to leave. Last month’s fire in Malibu caused widespread damage and forced students at Pepperdine University to shelter in place. Now, history seems to be repeating itself. Videos from Ventura County show plumes of smoke and flying embers, signaling trouble ahead. As night fell, the fires spread into Malibu, leading to injuries among several individuals due to burns, and one firefighter sustained a serious head injury requiring hospitalization.
Firefighters focus on lives
David Acuna made it clear: saving lives is the top priority. “We’re helping people evacuate safely, including their pets and livestock,” he said. Fires continue expanding rapidly, with no signs of slowing. The Palisades fire is nearing 3,000 acres, while the Eaton Canyon blaze has surpassed 1,000 acres.
Actor James Woods shared footage depicting flames advancing through surrounding vegetation near his residence, adding to the sense of danger and urgency in the area. Late on Tuesday, some trees and landscaping at the Getty Villa were damaged, although the museum collections were unharmed. The Getty Villa is dedicated to showcasing ancient art and culture.
Federal and local response
The situation led President Joe Biden to cancel a scheduled visit to Riverside County, where he planned to announce new national monuments, and instead remain in Los Angeles, where he could observe the visible smoke. FEMA responded by approving a grant to assist California with firefighting costs.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding disaster.
