California wildfires rage across Los Angeles County, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes
A large wildfire broke out in Pacific Palisades Tuesday afternoon, prompting mandatory evacuations affecting tens of thousands of people and highway closures. Later Tuesday a second wildfire broke out in the foothills of Pasadena on the other side of Los Angeles County.
A ferocious wildfire in a Los Angeles suburb devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations on Jan. 7 as hurricane-force winds tore through the region. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles County Fire Department shared an update on efforts to contain the fast-moving Palisades Fire late Tuesday night, which has put tens of thousands of people under an evacuation order due to the immediate threat to life.
As of Wednesday morning, the Palisades Fire has ravaged more than 2921 acres and is zero percent contained. LA County firefighters are also simultaneously battling the Eaton Fire and Hurst Fire, both of which are zero percent contained.
The fires are barreling through the length of approximately five football fields a minute, Fox News reported, making containment in dense areas extremely tough for firefighters.
Strong Santa Ana winds of up to 80 mph are propelling the flames and wind gusts of up to 60 mph are expected into Thursday.
Fox News reported that more than 250 Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters are working with other agencies to contain the trio of wildfires. Gov. Newsom also announced 1,400 firefighters have been deployed to the area to assist.
The LAPD said it is remaining vigilant as wildfires sweep through Southern California.
"The LAPD remains vigilant during the ongoing fires throughout the City of LA and has deployed officers for high visibility patrol during the tactical alert," the police department wrote on X.
"At this time, we have received no information regarding looting or other criminal activity in the affected areas," the post added.
Palisades Fires that started Tuesday have made their way to Malibu late Tuesday night.
The fires are devastating the Pacific Coast Highway and firefighters are working over time as they continue to escalate.
Among the many obstacles powerful Santa Ana winds are spreading the fire quickly and making it difficult to combat the blaze by air.
Flames have reportedly crossed the Pacific Coast Highway spreading into Malibu’s Sunset Mesa neighborhood and as far west as Las Flores Canyon.
The combination of winds and fire sweeping through the county has claimed thousands of homes and burned down historic institutions and landmarks like the Getty Villa Art Museum, Reel Inn, Cholada Thai and Rosenthal Winery.
Reel Inn owners took to social media to express their heartache over their loss and to express their optimism that this isn’t the end for them.
"All of our staff are safe.
We are so grateful for the 36 years we've been a part of the community. Grateful to all of our customers. We are heartbroken and unsure what will be left. Hopefully the state parks will let us rebuild when the dust settles.
Thank you for all of the love and support."
Winds are expected to continue to increase according to meteorologists.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said early Wednesday that the state has deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel and hundreds of prepositioned assets to tackle the fires in Los Angeles County.
"Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives," Newsom wrote on X.
The governor added that mutual aid is pouring in from across the state to battle the three wildfires.
Hundreds of additional firefighters are headed south to join the firefighters already on the ground, he wrote.
"Thank you to our first responders quickly jumping into these firefights," the governor said.
Ongoing fires and heavy wind conditions plaguing multiple L.A. County school districts are forcing schools to shut down Wednesday, January 8.
With more than 30,000 people misplaced and increasing unsafe environments the following schools are reporting closures.
-Alhambra Unified School District
-Arcadia Unified School District
-Azusa Unified School District
-Baldwin Park Unified School District
-Duarte Unified School District
-El Monte City School District
-Glendale unified School District
-La Canada Unified School District
-Los Vírgenes School District
-Monrovia Unified School District
-Mountain View School District
-Pasadena Unified School District
-Rosemead School District
-San Marino Unified School District
-Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District
-South Pasadena Unified School District
-Temple City Unified School District
-Valle Lindo School District Los Angeles Unified School District:
-Topanga Elementary Charter
-Woodland Hills Academy
-Palisades Elementary
-Brentwood Magnet
-Marquez Charter Elementary
-Diego Rivera Learning Complex
-University High School
For more information about the Palisades Fire, visit CALFIRE.
The police chief of Santa Monica said the Palisades Fire burning north of the city is zero percent contained as of 10:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
Chief Ramon Batista said all areas north of San Vicente Boulevard are under an evacuation order, which means there is an immediate threat to life and all residents are lawfully ordered to leave immediately.
Residents under an evacuation warning between Montana Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard are advised to prepare to leave.
Batista said the city is monitoring the conditions overnight and official expect to give a "significant media update" Wednesday morning.
President Biden said he has spoken to local officials about the wildfires sweeping through Southern California, offering federal assistance to deal with the fires.
"I am being frequently briefed on the wildfires in west Los Angeles. My team and I are in touch with state and local officials, and I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire," Biden said in a statement.
"Earlier tonight, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs," he continued. "My Administration will do everything it can to support the response."
Biden added: "I urge the residents of the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles to stay vigilant and listen to local officials."
AP
Officials have announced that a third wildfire has broken out in Los Angeles County, as one fire was already in Pacific Palisades and another was in the Pasadena area.
In the case of the third fire, the Los Angeles City Fire Department said it was in the Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles at 15986 West Yarnell Street. Mandatory evacuations were ordered in response to the fire.
The fire was roughly 100 acres with a rapid rate of spread and has jumped the freeway, officials said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA in response to the Eaton Fire, one of two wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County.
The Eaton Fire began at 6:23 p.m. on Tuesday in the Altadena/Pasadena area, hours after the fast-moving Pacific Palisades Fire ignited.
The Palisades Fire burned around Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Left image: Reuters, Right images: Getty)
The newest fire has already burned more than 400 acres, forced more than 19,000 people to evacuate and placed 22,000 others under an evacuation warning.
"We are moving rapidly to support state and local law enforcement and firefighters to respond to the Eaton Fire threatening Altadena and Pasadena as extremely critical fire weather continues in Southern California," Newsom said. "To all those in the region, remain vigilant and listen to local authorities."
The funds will assist local, state, and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for 75% reimbursement of eligible suppression costs. The same grant was secured earlier in the day for the Palisades Fire.
Several Los Angeles movie premieres have been canceled because of the wildfires sweeping through Southern California.
Paramount announced it has canceled the premiere of "Better Man," which was set for Wednesday, according to Variety.
"Due to the dangerous conditions affecting Los Angeles we are canceling tomorrow’s premiere of ‘Better Man,'" a Paramount spokesperson said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with those impacted by the devastating fires resulting from these conditions, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and follow guidance and orders from local officials and government agencies."
Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Studios also pulled their planned Tuesday night premieres of "Unstoppable" and "Wolf Man" while Max canceled the Wednesday premiere of "The Pitt."
"Out of an abundance of caution due to the ongoing Palisades Fire and continued wind advisories through tomorrow, we are canceling Wednesday's premiere event for 'The Pitt.' The safety and well-being of our attendees, staff, and community are our top priority," Max said. "We are grateful for the first responders bravely working to protect our community, and our thoughts are with those affected. Stay safe!"
Fellow Californian Vice President Kamala Harris’ Los Angeles residence is now in jeopardy as the wildfires continue to rage in California.
Harris released a statement as more than 30,000 Californians evacuated the highly volatile area as high winds were driving the fires farther east.
"My heart goes out to all those being impacted by the devasting wildfires in Southern California. Doug and I are praying for our fellow Californians who have evacuated, and we are thinking of the families whose homes, businesses, and schools remain in harm’s way. We are deeply grateful for the heroic first responders who are risking their own safety to fight the flames and help keep communities safe."
"I was briefed earlier tonight and will continue to receive regular updates about these damaging wildfires and the coordinated efforts to contain them. I am also urging residents in the affected areas to listen to local officials, remain vigilant, and evacuate immediately if told to do so.
"President Biden and I are committed to ensuring that no community has to respond to this disaster alone. We have already mobilized federal resources to help suppress the fires, provide overhead support, and begin assisting those impacted. FEMA also quickly approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to help reimburse the state for immediate firefighting costs.
"As a proud daughter of California, I know the damage that wildfires have on our neighbors and communities. I also know that the impact is often felt long after the fire is contained. As we respond and as Californians recover, I will ensure that our administration is in constant contact with state and local officials."
Reality TV couple Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, who began dating on The Hills nearly 20 years ago, lost their home in the Palisades Fire, the pair confirmed on their Snapchat accounts on Tuesday.
In a series of videos, Pratt showed how the fire quickly moved over the hill toward their home.
"Well, this isn't looking good," Pratt said while videoing the fire on the mountain behind their home. "First time I've seen the flames coming over. Aw, man. Okay, I'm going to go pack up I think."
He later posted a video from his car stating that he was watching their home burn down on their security cameras.
Montag posted a video in a grocery store also sharing that their home did burn, but the couple and their children are safe.
The wind whips embers as the Palisades Fire burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 7, 2025. (REUTERS/Ringo Chiu)
Strong winds are proving to be a hinderance as firefighters battle out of control fires in California tonight.
Forecasters are warning of the potential for the strongest wind event in more than a decade.
“We’ve seen gusts Tuesday evening already reach at least 69 mph in Burbank, 71 mph in Beverly Hills and 81 mph in the Malibu Hills. And sadly, there are hours of devastating winds still to go. We expect these gusts to continue through the night into Wednesday morning before slowly abating Wednesday afternoon. And with tinder dry conditions in place, extreme wildfire conditions will persist,” said Scott Sistek Meteorologist and Fox News Sr. Digital Content Producer.
“Firefighters are doing everything possible to protect lives, homes, and critical infrastructure under incredibly tough conditions,” said Jason Pack former firefighter and FEMA external affairs officer.
“The severity of these fires will likely prompt a request for emergency funding from FEMA to help cover the costs of firefighting efforts, evacuations, and initial recovery operations. Depending on the scale and impact, the state’s Office of Emergency Management could also request a federal disaster declaration, which would unlock additional federal resources and aid for affected communities,” said Pack.
A wildfire at a Duke’s restaurant in Malibu, California, left multiple people with burns, according to Fox News correspondent Matt Finn.
This comes as wildfires sweep through Southern California.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said a 25-year-old female firefighter was injured while battling the Palisades Fire Tuesday evening.
She sustained a "serious head injury" at approximately 8:30 p.m., according to LAFD PIO Erik Scott. The manner in which she was injured was not shared.
The firefighter was treated immediately at the scene and taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
AP
As a wildfire pushed by extreme winds swept through a Los Angeles hillside home to celebrities' residences, more than 167,000 households in Southern California are without power, as of Tuesday evening.
One fire was burning through the Pacific Palisades and another was moving in the Pasadena area. A third fire was later reported in the Sylmar neighborhood.
More than 167,000 households were without power late Tuesday because of the strong winds.
About 15,000 utility customers in Southern California had their power turned off to reduce the risk of equipment starting a fire.
In response to the winds, half a million customers in total were at risk of losing power preemptively.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
As firefighters battle a fast-moving brush fire in the Pacific Palisades, a second inferno has broken out in nearby Pasadena.
The two fires are forcing more than 30,000 people from their homes. An estimated 200 acres are now ablaze in the Pasadena area as fighters battle the Eaton Fire. Eaton firefighters are moving evacuations along as the fire continues to progress.
Strong Santa Ana winds have grounded aerial firefighting planes, making them unable to fly and stunting aerial waterbombing efforts.
A firefighting aircraft drops the fire retardant Phos-Chek as the Palisades Fire burns amid a powerful windstorm on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Getty Images)
A large, fast-moving and growing brush fire broke out Tuesday afternoon in Pacific Palisades, prompting mandatory evacuations affecting tens of thousands of people and highway closures, including people who abandoned their vehicles to flee on foot.
More than 13,000 buildings and 26,000 people are in the evacuation zone, which has been labeled "under immediate threat," according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
As of 9:20 p.m., nearly 3,000 acres had burned, according to Cal Fire.
About 30,000 people have been evacuated from a total of 10,000 households, or 15,000 structures, to include businesses and other buildings so far with no injuries, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters at a news conference.
Over 250 LAFD firefighters were battling the blaze, in addition to firefighters from neighboring agencies. Approximately 30 vehicles left abandoned on Sunset and Palisades will be moved by the county to provide clear access, the fire department said.
LAFD announced via X at about 9:30 p.m. all off-duty members are to call with their availability to be called upon to help fight the fire.
This is an excerpt of a story by Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch and Louis Casiano. Click here to read the full story.
Live Coverage begins here