Thousands of residents have evacuated their homes as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades has consumed almost 20,000 acres by Friday. Fire crews are diligently working to halt the progression of the flames, which are currently 6% contained.
Cal Fire announced that over 5,000 structures have been reported destroyed; however, they suspect the actual number is much higher.
Watch: SkyCal provides aerial footage of Pacific Palisades neighborhoods affected by the fire
Late Thursday night, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner disclosed that at least 10 fatalities have been confirmed in connection with the catastrophic fires, two of which are verified to be associated with the Palisades Fire.
During a press briefing earlier that day, Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass described the occurrence as an “unprecedented historic firestorm,” stating that the primary concern across the region is the safety of individuals and the protection of homes.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Palisades Fire ignited Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. near 1190 North Piedra Morada Dr. The flames rapidly expanded to about 200 acres due to winds reaching at least 40 mph.
The fire continued to spread quickly through the hillsides as gusts propelled embers. Mayor Bass mentioned that strong winds had initially hindered air operations for fire crews, but these services have been reinstated.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated that thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders, with several more thousands under evacuation warnings. The Los Angeles Fire Department has noted a considerable number of injuries among residents who failed to evacuate.
During a Thursday evening press conference, LA County officials confirmed that two individuals lost their lives due to the Palisades Fire.
Watch: Hundreds of homes in the Pacific Palisades destroyed by the raging fire
Footage from the scene has revealed numerous homes being engulfed by towering flames. Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath stated on Wednesday, “We awoke to a dark cloud over all of Los Angeles.”
LAFD reported multiple burn victims. One firefighter sustained a severe head injury while combating the fire. She was treated at the scene and later transported to a local hospital for further evaluation, according to LAFD.
Kevin McGowan from the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management noted that the fires are indicative of a “historic natural disaster.” His office is collaborating with local, state, and federal partners to provide essential resources to residents in affected areas.
Eric Thayer/Getty Images
Forecasters indicated that gusts reached up to 100 mph in certain areas, presenting potentially the worst conditions seen since a windstorm in 2011 that incurred $40 million in damages in Los Angeles County.
The Pacific Coast Highway was entirely closed near Topanga Canyon Boulevard, as stated by the California Department of Transportation.
Emergency shelters and evacuation map
As flames advanced swiftly, some drivers abandoned their vehicles on Sunset near the junction of the main LA roadway with the PCH. Several reported that firefighters instructed them to evacuate and escape on foot. Approximately 30 vehicles were left behind, according to the LA Fire Department.
An estimated 331,335 individuals are under evacuation advisories due to the fires: 139,524 are under evacuation warnings and 191,811 are under evacuation orders. To put this in perspective, this number of people could fill SoFi Stadium three times over.
Krishan Chaudry, a resident of the LA coastal community, observed flames from his backyard that appeared unexpectedly. Dense, billowing clouds of black smoke were visible rising above the PCH as the fire swept through the hills.
“This happened out of nowhere,” Chaudry recounted. “We were watching the smoke, and then suddenly, fire was everywhere.”
The Westwood Recreation Center has been established as an evacuation center and overnight shelter for evacuees and small pets, as reported by fire authorities. Additionally, El Camino Real Charter High School has opened as an evacuation shelter for residents, according to Cal Fire.
Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for neighborhoods near the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park, and extending as far south as Santa Monica.
On Wednesday, city officials in Santa Monica proclaimed a local state of emergency as the fire continued to spread. This declaration aims to implement a sunset-to-sunrise curfew for evacuation zones, in addition to other stipulations.
The latest updates from Cal Fire regarding evacuations and support for those affected can be accessed here.
Road closures
The following closures of PCH have been announced by officials; the latest information can be found here.
- Southbound Pacific Coast Highway is closed at Malibu Canyon
- Southbound Piuma Road is shut at Woodbluff Road
- Southbound Malibu Canyon is closed at Piuma Road
- Southbound Stunt Road is closed at Mulholland Drive
- Southbound Topanga Canyon Road is closed at Mulholland Drive
Closures in Santa Monica:
- Ocean Avenue, 7th Street, and 26th Street are all restricted to northbound traffic into the Palisades
- I-10 westbound is closed at Lincoln Boulevard. All alternate access to northbound Pacific Coast Highway is blocked off
- Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Entrada Drive and Malibu Canyon Road
- Southbound Las Virgenes and Malibu Canyon are closed at Lost Hills Road at Pacific Coast Highway
- Southbound Old Topanga Canyon is closed at Mulholland Drive
- Eastbound Mulholland Highway is shut at Malibu Canyon
- Pacific Coast Highway is closed at Malibu Canyon for both northbound and eastbound traffic
- Malibu Road is closed at Webb Way to eastbound traffic
- Dry Canyon Cold Creek is closed at Mulholland Highway
- Cold Canyon Road at Mulholland Highway is shut to southbound traffic
- Pacific Coast Highway is closed at Leo Carillo for both eastbound and westbound traffic
School closures
The Los Angeles Unified School District canceled classes for all their schools on Thursday.
Classes at Topanga Elementary Charter School have been moved to Woodland Hills Academy.
“Affected schools are directly reaching out to families. For updates, please visit lausd.org. If families need further assistance, they can contact our Family Hotline at (213) 443-1300,” stated LA City officials.
All schools in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District remain closed Thursday.
Pepperdine University reported that campus operations would be altered on Thursday as officials monitor the fire. Although the fire does not currently threaten the campus community, it could become a safety issue if it approaches closer to the school.
RELATED: Eaton Fire closes schools in Pasadena
The Glendale Unified School District has been closed since Wednesday and will remain closed until Friday.
“Due to the strong winds and fires affecting our region, all GUSD schools, child care services, and district offices will be closed for the remainder of the week (January 8, 9, and 10),” announced the district.
“Life-threatening” windstorm and significant red flag warning
Numerous areas in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including the vicinity where the wildfire originated, are under a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warning this week. This warning is relatively uncommon and issued by the National Weather Service during extreme conditions, similar to the warning given just before the Mountain Fire, which burned nearly 20,000 acres in neighboring Ventura County last year.
Forecasters have indicated that a “life-threatening” windstorm could be the most intense experienced in the region since 2011, which resulted in 400,000 people losing power.
Although the peak Santa Ana winds have subsided, additional winds are expected to begin Thursday night into Friday. The National Weather Service has extended the red flag warning until Friday evening.
“This will likely be a life-threatening, destructive, and widespread windstorm,” the NWS stated on Monday, ahead of the weather system. They classified it as a “Particularly Dangerous Situation.”
In December, the coastal community dealt with the Franklin Fire, which destroyed over two dozen structures, including several homes, as it scorched more than 4,000 acres.
Resources thinly stretched
Firefighting resources were already being stretched thin due to the massive response to the Palisades Fire, prompting the Los Angeles Fire Department to request all off-duty firefighters to report their availability for duty.
LAFD Public Information Officer Margaret Stewart mentioned that this is the first time in the last 19 years that the department has issued such a request.
With potent winds still affecting the area, all firefighting aircraft were ordered grounded on Tuesday evening due to hazardous conditions. Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley reported Wednesday morning that water-dropping aircraft would resume operations. Typically, these aircraft are crucial in supporting ground crews battling wildfires.
To assist with firefighting efforts, crews from across the western United States were deployed to aid local departments, including teams from Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, and Nevada.
Newsom also announced the mobilization of 140 water tenders, each capable of transporting 2,500 gallons, to support the Eaton and Palisades fires.
“California is mobilizing extra water tenders to combat these unprecedented fires in Los Angeles,” he stated. “We are collaborating closely with our local and federal partners to identify and address needs in real-time. Our foremost priority is to safeguard Californians — this additional water transport is vital in our fight.”
Government officials respond
In reaction to the fire, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency concerning the response from local emergency services.
This emergency declaration enables “local, state, and tribal agencies involved in firefighting to apply for 75 percent reimbursement for eligible fire suppression expenses,” according to a statement from the governor’s office.
President Biden, who received a briefing on the situation, also released a statement, highlighting that FEMA has already authorized a Fire Management Assistance Grant.
“My team and I are coordinating with state and local officials and have extended any necessary federal support to aid in extinguishing the catastrophic Pacific Palisades fire,” the statement from the president read, in part. “Earlier tonight, FEMA confirmed a Fire Management Assistance Grant to assist affected areas and help reimburse California for immediate firefighting costs. My administration is committed to providing complete support for the response.”
On Wednesday, Biden sanctioned a Major Disaster Declaration for the region, which will facilitate grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans, and programs to aid recovery for individuals and business owners.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who hails from California, also shared a statement regarding the Palisades and Eaton fires near Pasadena.
“As a proud daughter of California, I understand the devastation that wildfires wreak on our communities. I also recognize that the repercussions are often felt long after the flames are quenched,” her statement expressed. “As we respond and California recovers, I will ensure our administration maintains constant communication with state and local officials.”
Additional fires raging in LA County
Approximately 40 miles inland, a substantial brush fire known as the Eaton Fire ignited Tuesday in the Eaton Canyon region above Altadena. By Thursday morning, the blaze had expanded to 10,600 acres, endangering several structures and prompting evacuations in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.
Tuesday night around 10 p.m., another fire termed the Hurst Fire was detected in the San Fernando Valley. By Wednesday morning, it had grown to over 850 acres, burning just north of the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, thus prompting evacuations in the vicinity.
On Wednesday evening, yet another brush fire named the Sunset Fire ignited in the Hollywood Hills, near the Runyon Canyon area. This fire also resulted in evacuation orders and warnings for nearby residents around Wattles Park.
