Two wildfires broke out in Los Angeles on Tuesday as dangerous wind conditions and unseasonably dry and warm weather swept across Southern California.
A wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of more than 770 hectares broke out just before 11:00 a.m. local time today, prompting evacuations across the region and into Malibu.
The Los Angeles Fire Department issued a mandatory evacuation order for Merrimac Road west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to Pacific Coast Highway. Those not under evacuation orders are asked to shelter in place.
The traffic gridlock affects major streets in the Pacific Palisades area, including Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard. According to ABC News, abandoned vehicles and several cars were seen engulfed in flames. Los Angeles station.
An airplane flies to drop fire retardant in the area of a wildfire near Pacific Palisades, west of Los Angeles, during a weather-driven wind storm, on Jan. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Daniel Cole/Reuters
Smoke rises from a wildfire near Pacific Palisades, west of Los Angeles, during a weather-driven wind storm on January 7, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. REUTERS/Daniel Cole
Daniel Cole/Reuters
It’s unclear at this time how many structures were affected by the fast-moving fire, but video from the scene shows several homes in Pacific Palisades on fire.
A separate fire is threatening the West Hollywood area, with crews working to extinguish the fire on Sunset Boulevard between St. Vincent and Crescent Heights.
The cause of both fires is currently under investigation, according to Cal Fire.
“Life-threatening” and “destructive” storms are also expected from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning across much of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, the National Weather Service said. They will also affect areas that are not normally windy, the agency said.
Fire off Sunset Blvd. at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood Hills, California on January 7, 2025.
@josh_Inglewood/X
Heavy smoke rises from the Pacific Palisades wildfire along Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, California, on January 7, 2025.
Eugene Garcia/AP
Much of Southern California is under a red alert for wildfire danger Tuesday through Thursday as strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity and dry fuels threaten the region.
According to Cal Fire, residents of Greater Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys, the San Diego and Riverside Mountains, the East San Diego Valley, Inland Orange County, the Santa Ana Mountains, the Inland Empire and the San Bernardino Foothills should prepare. an evacuation order.
“Stay alert, avoid activities that could start fires and have an evacuation plan ready,” Cal Fire said Tuesday at Xn.
On Monday afternoon, California Governor Gavin Newsom directed state departments to deploy fire engines, crews, aircraft and additional support to areas that could be affected.
“The state is taking early and proactive steps to coordinate with local partners to protect communities as dangerous weather moves into our state. We are no stranger to winter wildfire threats, so I urge all Californians to pay attention to local authorities and be prepared if they are told to evacuate,” he said. Newsom said in a statement.
Also, drought conditions have returned to much of Southern California, according to an update from the US Drought Monitor released last week.
Today, there is a moderate drought from Los Angeles to San Diego, leaving very dry vegetation that could potentially ignite a spark and start a wildfire.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
