Wildfires, evacuations across California’s Los Angeles: What we know | Weather News
California has been declared a state of emergency and two people have been reported dead as wildfires that started on Tuesday engulfed the city of Los Angeles, prompting evacuations and power outages.
The third largest state in the United States, California is often swept by wildfires, especially in the south.
Here’s what we know about the fires, their impact and the latest news.
Where and when did the wildfires start in Los Angeles?
At 10:30am (18:30GMT) on Tuesday, the first wildfire broke out in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
This affluent neighborhood, nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is about 32 kilometers (20 miles) west of downtown Los Angeles.
What areas of LA have been affected by wildfires and how much land has been burned?
About 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) of land were burned in the first Pacific Palisades fire Tuesday evening, according to Cal Fire.
Around 6pm (02:00 GMT) on Tuesday, a second blaze, called the Eaton Fire, broke out 50 kilometers (30 miles) inland near Pasadena, doubling in size to 162 hectares (ha -400) in just a few hours.
A third blaze called the Hurst Fire also started in Sylmar, in the San Fernando Valley northwest of Los Angeles.
Together, the three fires have burned 2,285 hectares (5,648 acres).
How many people have been killed in the wildfires in LA?
On Wednesday morning, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Maroney said two deaths were reported in the Eaton fire and “a high number of serious civilian injuries” in the Palisades fire.
A fire official told local television station KTLA that one female firefighter suffered a head injury in the Palisades fire.
No deaths have been reported as a result of the Palisades fire.
Are LA wildfires spreading far?
Yes, it seems so. American media reported that the fires have already spread to the north, burning homes near Malibu.
Malibu began issuing evacuation orders Tuesday afternoon and Santa Monica Tuesday evening.
Are there any damaged buildings?
The Palisades fire burned some trees and vegetation because of the Getty Villa Museum, one of the richest art museums in the world, which preserves the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.
In a post on social media X, the museum said no buildings had burned, and “the staff and the collection remain safe”.
The Eaton fire burned the McDonald’s branch and the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, but the workers there escaped safely with their holy books, including Torahs, Melissa Levy, the temple’s executive director told the New York Times.
American actor James Woods reported damage to his home in Pacific Palisades.
All the smoke detectors go off in our house and transmit to our iPhones.
I couldn’t believe our lovely little home in the mountains lasted this long. It feels like losing a loved one.
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025
Are Santa Ana winds causing California wildfires?
Officials have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. However, winter wildfires are not uncommon in California due to the regional “Santa Ana” winds, which dry out vegetation and make it easier to burn.
These are dry, warm and strong winds that are common in Southern California during the cooler months due to conditions caused by changes in air pressure and seasonally cool temperatures.
Santa Ana winds form when high pressure over the Great Basin, a large, dry area in the western US, forces air to flow offshore. As the air descends between mountains and valleys, it loses moisture, compresses and accelerates, warms and accelerates.
The geography of the region, including the shape of the mountains and valleys, directs the winds to Southern California and the Pacific coast.
Experts say this winter has been very threatening.
“We really haven’t seen a dry season like this one following a wet season like last time – all that abundant growth of grass and vegetation followed quickly by such a wind event during an incredibly dry season,” Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, said in a live broadcast Monday.
Santa Ana’s strong winds have been linked to some of Southern California’s worst wildfires, including the December 2024 Franklin fire that burned more than 1,600 hectares (4,000 acres) of Malibu land, destroying or destroying nearly 50 homes.
On Saturday, the National Weather Service issued its highest warning for severe fire conditions for much of Los Angeles County from Tuesday through Friday.
A Fire Weather Watch is in effect Tuesday-Friday for parts of LA/Ventura Counties. There is a chance of damaging north and northeast winds, which may increase Tuesday-Wednesday.
Since there hasn’t been much rain yet, the fire season will continue until the New Year! #CAWX pic.twitter.com/fahxe7RIpI
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 3, 2025
When will the fires end?
Experts and officials do not have hope that the fires will be stopped soon.
Forecasters said seasonal winds could intensify into the worst storm in a decade, with gusts of up to 160km/h (100mph) expected. Typically, a wind gust of over 64km/h (40mph) can start to cause damage to trees and infrastructure and become a concern.
“It will be, I think, a difficult night. And what is happening now is just the beginning because the weather is going to be very bad,” meteorologist Daniel Swain told AFP.
LA Mayor Karen Bass warned that “the storm is expected to get worse this morning”, at X morning on Wednesday.
On Wednesday morning, Cal Fire said that none of the three fires around Los Angeles were under control as the winds were still strong. Firefighters were trying to work in the steep Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica Hills to reduce vegetation and create breakouts.
What will happen next?
A red flag “Extremely Dangerous Situation” warning has been issued for 19 million people in parts of Southern California. This warning is usually issued only in “rare circumstances where prolonged, severe and violent storms are possible,” according to the National Weather Service. It was last released during the December 2024 Franklin Fire which burned approximately 1,633 hectares (4,037 acres), damaged or destroyed 48 structures, and was completely contained on December 18.
Amidst all this, a power outage hit the city. CBS News reported that as of 12:30am local time (08:30 GMT) on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported that about 127,000 customers were without power. Data from PowerOutage.us showed more than 220,000 homes and businesses in Los Angeles County were without power late Tuesday.
What action is being taken?
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from affected areas and schools have been closed. Some Hollywood events have been canceled.
More than 30,000 people have been evacuated, and many fled on foot after the traffic stopped. Emergency shelters have opened for fire evacuees in Palisades and Hurst, while animal shelters have been set up for pets of residents affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Emergency shelters are open for Angelenos evacuated due to this devastating fire.#PalisadesFire Residence:
Westwood Recreation Center – 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd#HurstFire Residence:
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center – 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 8, 2025
The Los Angeles Zoo said it would remain closed Wednesday while 18 school districts also reported closures, according to the Los Angeles County Office of Education. The Screen Actors Guild Awards canceled its in-person nominations ceremony on Wednesday.
31st Screen Actors Guild Awards® Nomination Announcement Update pic.twitter.com/v7dvzIQtc0
— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) January 8, 2025
The National Weather Service urged people to stay indoors and away from windows during the storm.
California has deployed 1400+ fire crews and hundreds of pre-positioned supplies to battle the unprecedented fires in LA.
Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all sitting at the table all night doing everything they can to protect lives.
— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced “all hands are on deck” as more than 1,400 firefighters were deployed to battle the flames. US President Biden has also approved government aid.
