A large, fast-moving wildfire broke out in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday afternoon, causing forced evacuations and affecting tens of thousands of people, including some who abandoned their cars and fled on foot. Closed.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said more than 13,000 buildings and 26,000 people were in the evacuation zone and were “under immediate threat.”
About 1,300 acres had burned as of 3:25 p.m., according to Cal Fire.
So far, about 30,000 people have been evacuated from 15,000 buildings, including businesses and other buildings, and about 30,000 people have been evacuated, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference. He said that he has not appeared.
More than 250 LAFD firefighters were battling the blaze, along with firefighters from neighboring agencies. Approximately 30 abandoned vehicles in the Sunset and Palisades areas will be moved by the county to ensure safe access, the fire department said.
Firefighters work to put out hot spots during a wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California, on January 7, 2025. A fast-moving wildfire broke out in a Los Angeles suburb Tuesday, burning buildings and prompting evacuations as “life-threatening” winds battered the region. More than 200 acres (80 hectares) of fire burned, cutting off major highways and sending thick smoke blanketing the area in Pacific Palisades, an upscale area of multimillion-dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Other fire engines used included 46 engines, 3 trucks, 5 helicopters, 4 brush patrols, 2 tap water trucks, 6 emergency ambulances, 1 rapid response vehicle, and 1 advanced nurse practitioner unit. , two bulldozers, 10 lead officers, fire investigators and safety officers. said LAFD Chief Christine Crowley.
Officials said there were no confirmed injuries or deaths.
Officials said peak winds are expected to occur between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Wednesday. Firefighters are expected to battle the blaze from the air into the evening, with darkness and strong winds making the situation even more dangerous.
Video from the scene shows at least two homes on fire in the area of Shadow Mountain Drive and Bienveneda Avenue, FOX 11 reports. At least a dozen homes are at risk on Shadow Mountain Drive.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom was briefed by authorities before Tuesday's press conference and was in the vicinity of the fire, his office said.
“On the ground in Pacific Palisades, being briefed by @CAL_FIRE on the #PalisadesFire in Los Angeles,” X wrote. “Californians in affected areas should remain vigilant and follow local authorities' evacuation orders. ” is written.
Newsom also warned that Southern California faces dangerous winds and extreme fire danger.
“Please heed evacuation orders from local authorities,” he said.
Due to limited resources, reporters at the scene noted that there were no firefighters nearby. FOX 11's Matthew Seedorf tried to put out the flames using a garden hose.
The Getty Villa, one of the two campuses of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, was on high alert for the fire. Museum leaders said the facility was closed to the public Tuesday.
“The Getty Villa will remain closed until at least Monday, January 13th. Of course, we are extremely concerned for our neighbors in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and surrounding areas.” said Katherine E. Fleming, President and CEO of . Paul Getty Trust told Fox News Digital in a statement.
Palisades fire near Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, January 7, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
“Fortunately, the Getty Company had extensive efforts throughout the year to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts,” Fleming added. “Some trees and vegetation on the property burned, but staff and collections are safe. Additional fire safety measures in place at the villa include on-site water storage. “Tuesday morning. , irrigation was soon installed throughout the grounds. “The museum's galleries and library archives were safe.'' The gallery's double-walled structure also kept the collection safe, as a state-of-the-art air handling system kept out smoke. Great protection. ”
Officials said the Los Angeles Fire Department was prioritizing searches of all structures as the flames spread, not just those believed to be tourist attractions.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was visiting Ghana at the time of the fire. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Following the fire, the Los Angeles Unified School District relocated Palisades Charter Elementary School and Marquez Charter Elementary School to Brentwood Elementary School Science Magnet School. Paul Revere Charter Middle School was relocated to Charter University High School, and students from Topanga Elementary School, a charter school, were assigned to Woodland Hills Academy.
According to FOX 11, the fire broke out at Palisades Charter High School just after 8:30 p.m.
A woman cries as the Palisades Fire progresses in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was on her way back to Los Angeles today after attending John Dramani Mahama's inauguration ceremony in Accra, Ghana, the acting mayor said while Bass was out of the city. This was announced by Los Angeles City Council President Marquis Harris Dawson.
“The City of Los Angeles has declared a state of emergency due to this wind phenomenon,” he added.
He was joined by Sharanda D. Young of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Virginia E. Palmer, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, and Frances Z. Brown, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Africa. Secretariat, National Security Council, White House.
The city skyline as the Palisades Fire burns during a powerful storm on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Fast-moving wildfires are threatening coastal homes in Southern California's harsh Santa Ana winds and dry weather. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
On January 7, 2025, a wildfire burns near a private home in Pacific Paris Safe, California. A fast-moving wildfire burned buildings in a Los Angeles suburb Tuesday and prompted evacuations as “life-threatening” winds gusted through the region. More than 200 acres (80 hectares) of fire burned, cutting off major highways and sending thick smoke blanketing the area in Pacific Palisades, an upscale area of multimillion-dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Newsom said President Biden provided funding for California's firefighting efforts through a short text message. The governor said there is no need to “kiss the ring” to get emergency funds. President-elect Trump previously suggested he would withhold disaster funding from California if the state did not follow his policies.
“We're all in this together. No one here wants their own political identity. Everyone's pulling in the same direction, because everyone cares,” he said. appeared to be quietly referring to Trump. “They're here for each other, and that's the spirit that defines the best of this state and this country.
“And there is no one here playing politics. The President of the United States and Joe Biden recognize their responsibility and come forward during emergencies when the American people are in trouble. He is a special This is pretty valuable, but I'm not here to play politics, there's a time and a place for it.
Smoke billows from burning vehicles as Santa Ana wind gusts ignite a wildfire in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California, January 7, 2025. A fire has broken out in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, forcing some residents to evacuate amid “destructive and life-threatening” winds. (Photo by Qian Weizhong/VCG, Getty Images)
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued from Merrimack Road west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to Pacific Coast Highway.
A shelter has opened at the Westwood Recreation Center located at 1350 South Sepulveda Blvd. In Los Angeles.
Officials said the city's emergency management department will provide additional location information as needed.
The Los Angeles County Lifeguard said high fire weather conditions with dry offshore winds are expected to continue into Wednesday.
“Residents should prepare to evacuate and stay away from the area to allow emergency responders to operate safely,” the agency said.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) reported no changes to flight operations as of 7:50 p.m.
Firefighters respond to a wildfire near the Pacific Palisades west of Los Angeles during a weather storm in Southern California on January 7, 2025. (Reuters/Mike Blake)
The Palisades Fire, which broke out Tuesday afternoon, caused mandatory evacuations in Southern California. (LAFD)
SoCal Edison, the area's utility company, announced it would cut power to the Cuthbert, Galahad and Cuthbert circuits in Malibu “due to dangerous fire weather,” according to a statement.
I noted that other circuits may follow.
“Once the safety situation has sufficiently improved, SCE will visually inspect power lines and equipment for damage before restoring power,” the company said. “Typically this takes up to eight hours, but can take longer if sunlight is needed.”
Wildfire smoke is visible from the Venice Beach area of Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The fire started around 10:30 a.m. near Piedra Morada and Monte Hermoso and had rapidly spread by 2 p.m., burning nearly 20 acres, the department said.
The fire had affected about 200 acres by 3 p.m. and destroyed several buildings in Pacific Palisades Highlands.
Authorities began ordering people to evacuate their homes soon after. By 2:30 p.m., the fire had grown to 772 acres.
“This is a lawful command to leave now. This area is legally closed to the public,” CAL Fire said in the warning.
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The Palisades Fire, which broke out Tuesday afternoon, caused mandatory evacuations in Southern California. (LAFD)
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned of “dangerous, life-threatening storms” hitting the region late Tuesday into Wednesday. The red flag warning is expected to remain in place until Thursday night.
“Stay indoors and away from windows. Be prepared for power outages,” the NWS said.
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