Los Angeles, Jan 8: A fast-moving wildfire swept through an affluent area of Los Angeles on Tuesday, reducing homes to ashes and causing massive traffic jams as 30,000 residents scrambled to evacuate under a thick canopy of smoke that darkened much of the city.
The blaze consumed at least 2,921 acres (1,182 hectares) in the Pacific Palisades region, nestled between Santa Monica and Malibu, according to officials. Forecasters had previously warned of extreme fire danger due to strong winds following weeks of dry weather.
As flames advanced, officials cautioned that the most dangerous wind conditions were expected overnight, raising fears of further evacuations. The northern edge of Santa Monica was later added to the evacuation zone.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes in Topanga Canyon, where fire engulfed homes and forced residents to flee. Flames licked at cars as people rushed to escape the hills toward the Pacific Coast.
“We feel very fortunate that no injuries have been reported so far,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said during a press briefing. She added that the fire posed a threat to over 10,000 homes, displacing more than 25,000 residents.
Firefighting aircraft scooped water from the ocean to battle the flames, while bulldozers cleared abandoned vehicles from gridlocked roads to allow emergency crews access. Dramatic images showed towering flames consuming homes and casting an orange glow across the hills as the sun set.
The fire scorched trees near the Getty Villa, a museum housing priceless artifacts. However, museum officials credited brush-clearing efforts around the property for protecting its treasures.
Traffic ground to a halt as evacuees clogged the canyon’s single road leading to the coast. Some, unable to drive out, abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot.
Cindy Festa, a Pacific Palisades resident, described her narrow escape. “The fires were this close to the cars,” she said, holding her thumb and forefinger together. “People just left their cars. Everything is burning—the palm trees, the hillsides.”
The National Weather Service had issued its highest-level alert for fire conditions across Los Angeles County earlier in the week, warning of wind gusts between 50 and 80 mph (80 to 130 kph), paired with extremely low humidity and bone-dry vegetation. The conditions were described as “about as bad as it gets for fire weather.”
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, deploying firefighting crews, aircraft, and other resources across Southern California. “We’re bracing for the possibility of additional fires starting simultaneously,” Newsom said at a press conference.
Adding to the chaos, a second fire, dubbed the Eaton Fire, ignited about 30 miles (50 km) inland near Pasadena, burning 200 acres (80 hectares), according to Cal Fire.
The high winds also disrupted President Joe Biden’s travel plans. Air Force One remained grounded in Los Angeles, delaying a scheduled trip to the Coachella Valley for the creation of two new national monuments. Biden expressed his support in a statement, saying, “I’ve offered federal assistance to suppress the devastating Pacific Palisades fire.” A federal grant was also approved to reimburse California for its firefighting efforts.
Pacific Palisades, home to several Hollywood celebrities, saw its star-studded residents join the evacuation. Actor James Woods posted on X that he had safely evacuated but did not know if his home had survived. Meanwhile, actor Steve Guttenberg told KTLA that some residents were blocked from escaping due to abandoned vehicles in the roads.
“It’s crucial for everyone to work together,” Guttenberg urged. “Don’t risk your life for your belongings—get your loved ones and get out.”
