Thousands of residents are fleeing their homes as three major wildfires spread across Los Angeles, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency across the city.
The largest blaze in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighbourhood has consumed more than 3,000 acres, while separate fires are growing near the Eaton Canyon in Altadena and across 50 acres in Sylmar suburbs, where mandatory evacuation orders are in place.
HORRIFIC fire storm in LA. Reaching the ocean. PCH pic.twitter.com/aVpL7pGSfI
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) January 8, 2025
California’s fire agency has issued warnings of immediate life threats in affected areas, with at least 30,000 residents ordered to evacuate. Traffic gridlock has forced emergency services to use bulldozers to clear abandoned vehicles from streets to gain access to affected areas.
The situation is being exacerbated by powerful Santa Ana winds – dry gusts flowing from the mountains towards the coast – with speeds reaching 60-70mph near the Angeles National Forest and Santiago Peak. Coastal areas are experiencing gusts of 40-50mph, while Pacific Palisades has recorded winds up to 55mph.
Meteorologists predict wind speeds could intensify to 80-100mph over higher ground, potentially driving flames towards densely populated areas of Los Angeles.
Among those evacuating the Pacific Palisades area is Schitt’s Creek actor Eugene Levy, who told the Los Angeles Times: “The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldn’t see any flames but the smoke was very dark.”
Police Academy actor Steve Guttenberg remained behind to assist firefighters, helping to clear vehicles blocking access for emergency vehicles. Speaking to local television, he said: “What’s happening is people take their keys with them as if they’re in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars.”
Other notable residents of the area reportedly include Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, basketball player Kawhi Leonard and James Wood. Wood shared his evacuation experience on X, expressing uncertainty about his home’s status: “It feels like losing a loved one.”
Actor Mark Hamill described the situation on Instagram as the “Most horrific fire since ’93,” adding that he evacuated Malibu “so last-minute there were small fires on both sides of the road.”
Forecasters warn that the high winds are expected to persist, potentially hampering firefighting efforts as authorities continue to coordinate the evacuation of 30,000 residents from threatened areas.
Jeez, these LA fires are utterly horrific. Hitting so many homes/businesses, and getting worse as the Santa Ana winds fan the flames through coastal & residential areas. Had a home there for 20 years and never seen anything like this. Praying for everyone there. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/mQFfuhL58z
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2025
