A rapidly growing wildfire tore through the upscale Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on Tuesday, prompting the evacuation of 30,000 people. The fire, which scorched 2,921 acres (1,182 hectares), stretched from Topanga Canyon down to the Pacific Ocean, threatening thousands of homes and creating widespread chaos.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley reported that over 25,000 people in 10,000 homes were at risk. “We feel very blessed at this point that there are no reported injuries,” she said at a press briefing. However, the rapidly intensifying blaze raised concerns as officials warned of worsening wind conditions overnight, potentially leading to further evacuations.
The wildfire, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and dry vegetation, came after weeks of extended dry weather. The National Weather Service had already issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions, with wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph (80 to 130 kph) expected to persist through Thursday. “These are about as bad as it gets in terms of fire weather,” the Los Angeles office of the National Weather Service stated on X.
Flames engulfed homes, singed trees near the Getty Villa museum, and caused gridlock as thousands fled. Firefighters used aircraft to scoop water from the ocean, dumping it on the blaze. Bulldozers worked to clear abandoned vehicles, allowing emergency services to pass.
Traffic jams left residents like Cindy Festa fleeing on foot. “Fires were this close to the cars,” she said, demonstrating with her thumb and forefinger. “Everything is going palm trees, the hillside.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and positioned additional firefighting resources across Southern California. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden canceled a scheduled trip due to the winds grounding Air Force One.
As night fell, orange flames lit up the hills of Topanga Canyon, leaving residents and officials bracing for more destruction. Actor James Woods evacuated but was uncertain about his home’s fate. Steve Guttenberg urged residents to prioritize safety: “Get your loved ones and get out.”
Firefighters continued their battle as the region faced the daunting challenge of worsening weather
