A rapidly spreading wildfire, driven by “life-threatening and destructive” winds, has prompted evacuations in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.
The fire erupted on Tuesday morning in the Pacific Palisades Highlands community and has since expanded to approximately 300 acres, according to Margaret Stewart, a public information officer with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
As detailed in an LAFD news release, several communities have been ordered to evacuate, and numerous homes are under immediate threat. The blaze’s rapid growth is attributed to a dangerous combination of dry conditions and strong winds, which are anticipated to intensify overnight, with gusts potentially reaching up to 100 mph in certain areas.
The Palisades Fire that broke out in the Santa Monica Mountains Tuesday morning sent hundreds of residents fleeing, some of them on foot, as they tried to outrun advancing flames driven by extremely strong winds.
The fire was reported around 10:20 a.m. and immediately began charging toward the community of Pacific Palisades wildfire, burning 772 acres as of around 2:30 p.m. Video from our partners at KCAL News showed people walking on Sunset Boulevard toward Pacific Coast Highway after being told by officers to abandon their cars and walk to safety. Many were seen holding bags and pets as they made their way towards the ocean.
By 2 p.m., footage showed multiple structures engulfed in flames, though the extent of the damage was unclear and officials did not immediately have an initial assessment.
As of 1:15 p.m. local time, there were no confirmed reports of homes being destroyed, Stewart noted. However, flames continue to endanger neighborhoods nestled within the canyons west of Pacific Palisades, including Rustic Canyon and Topanga Canyon.
Erik Scott, another LAFD public information officer, urged residents to be prepared for potential evacuation orders in a video posted on X. He highlighted the fire’s swift spread due to the powerful winds, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
Over 200 firefighters are actively battling the blaze, which is primarily moving westward. Firefighters are also concerned about spot fires and swirling flames that could send embers flying up to a mile away, posing additional risks to surrounding areas.
Southern California’s dry conditions have created a perfect storm for a fast-moving wildfire. Los Angeles has seen minimal rainfall in recent months wildfire, and forecasters from the National Weather Service had predicted a “life-threatening, destructive windstorm” from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.
Rich Thompson, a meteorologist with the weather service in Oxnard, reported that downtown Los Angeles has received a mere 0.16 inches of rain since July 1. Wind gusts between 50 and 80 mph were recorded on Tuesday, with expectations of increased wind strength overnight.
“The winds are expected to pick up later today and tonight,” Thompson said. “Areas like the Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, and Palos Verdes typically experience Santa Ana winds, but these are unusually strong wildfire .
Winter wildfires in California are frequently driven by the Santa Ana winds, which descend from mountain slopes, bringing hot, dry air to coastal regions. These winds significantly reduce humidity levels, accelerating the spread of any fires, especially in dry landscapes.
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, discussed the role of climate change in exacerbating these events. In a YouTube address, he explained that climate change is increasing the overlap between extremely dry vegetation and the occurrence of wind events, heightening the risk of wildfires.
Thompson warned that conditions would only worsen as the day progressed, presenting a grim outlook for firefighters. “Humidity levels are dropping into the 20 to 30% range and are expected to fall into the teens and single digits by tomorrow and Thursday,” he said. “The winds will continue to blow tonight and tomorrow, offering no relief.
