Pacific Palisades inferno forces thousands to flee California homes; ‘life-threatening’ winds whip wildfire
A large brush fire broke out Tuesday afternoon in Pacific Palisades, prompting mandatory evacuations affecting tens of thousands of people and highway closures.
There are more than 13,000 buildings and 26,000 people in the evacuation zone, which has been labeled “under immediate threat,” according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
No injuries or fatalities were confirmed, as of 5 p.m., according to LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart.
A firefighter douses a hot spot as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025. A fast-moving brushfire in a Los Angeles suburb burned buildings and sparked evacuations Tuesday as “life threatening” winds whipped the region. More than 200 acres (80 hectares) was burning in Pacific Palisades, a upscale spot with multi-million dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains, shuttering a key highway and blanketing the area with thick smoke. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)
One of those on high alert is the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades off Pacific Coast Highway.
RECORD FIRE IN CALIFORNIA BURNS HUNDREDS OF ACRES, FORCES EVACUATIONS, INJURES MULTIPLE FIREFIGHTERS
Getty spokesperson Alexandria Sivak told Fox News Digital the Getty Villa is now closed to non-emergency staff.
“It is already closed to the public on Tuesdays, so there were no [members of the] public on site,” Sivak said. “The villa site is currently safe, and we are in ongoing contact with LAFD and closely monitoring the situation.”
Officials said the department is prioritizing all structures as the flames spread, not just those that may be tourist attractions.
“They’re all notable to us,” Stewart said. “We’re working to extinguish and defend all structures.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was visiting Ghana when the fire broke out. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
LA Mayor Karen Bass is currently out of town attending the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama today in Accra, Ghana, according to a statement from the White House.
She is joined by Shalanda D. Young, director of the United States Office of Management and Budget, Virginia E. Palmer, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, and Frances Z. Brown, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council, The White House.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 7: The city skyline is seen as the Palisades Fire burns amid a powerful windstorm on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. The fast-moving wildfire is threatening homes in the coastal neighborhood amid intense Santa Ana Winds and dry conditions in Southern California. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
A brush fire burns near homes in Pacific Palisafes, California on January 7, 2025. A fast-moving brushfire in a Los Angeles suburb burned buildings and sparked evacuations Tuesday as “life threatening” winds whipped the region. More than 200 acres (80 hectares) was burning in Pacific Palisades, a upscale spot with multi-million dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains, shuttering a key highway and blanketing the area with thick smoke. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)
There are mandatory evacuation orders in place from Merrimac Road west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard, and south to Pacific Coast Highway.
An evacuation center has been opened at Westwood Recreation Center, located at 1350 South Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles.
Stewart said if needed, the city’s emergency management division will provide information about additional locations.
A firefighter responds, as a wildfire breaks-out near Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles during a weather driven windstorm in Southern California, January 7, 2025. (REUTERS/Mike Blake)
The Palisades Fire, which broke out Tuesday afternoon, prompted mandatory evacuations in Southern California. (LAFD)
SoCal Edison, the electric provider in the region, announced it is shutting off power to the Cuthbert, Galahad, Cuthbert circuits in Malibu “due to dangerous fire weather,” according to a statement.
It noted other circuits may follow.
“Once safety conditions have improved sufficiently, SCE visually inspects power lines and equipment for damage before restoring power,” according to the company. “This typically takes up to eight hours, but could take longer if daylight is needed.”
Smoke from a wildfire is seen from the Venice Beach section of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A fire that started at about 1:30 p.m. near Piedra Morada and Monte Hermoso drives quickly escalated by 2 p.m., with nearly 20 acres burned, according to the department.
The fire impacted roughly 200 acres by 3 p.m., demolishing several buildings in the Pacific Palisades Highlands.
The Palisades Fire, which broke out Tuesday afternoon, prompted mandatory evacuations in Southern California. (LAFD)
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned of a “life-threatening and dangerous windstorm” rolling through the area late Tuesday through Wednesday. Red flag warnings are expected to remain in place until Thursday evening.
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