Pacific Palisades inferno forces thousands to flee California homes; Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency
A large, fast-moving and growing brush fire broke out Tuesday afternoon in Pacific Palisades, prompting mandatory evacuations affecting tens of thousands of people and highway closures, including people who abandoned their vehicles to flee on foot.
More than 13,000 buildings and 26,000 people are in the evacuation zone, which has been labeled “under immediate threat,” according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
As of 9:20 p.m., nearly 3,000 acres had burned, according to Cal Fire.
About 30,000 people have been evacuated from a total of 10,000 households, or 15,000 structures, to include businesses and other buildings so far with no injuries, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters at a news conference.
Over 250 LAFD firefighters were battling the blaze, in addition to firefighters from neighboring agencies. Approximately 30 vehicles left abandoned on Sunset and Palisades will be moved by the county to provide clear access, the fire department said.
LAFD announced via X at about 9:30 p.m. all off-duty members are to call with their availability to be called upon to help fight the fire.
Other fire vehicles being utilized included 46 engines, three trucks, five helicopters, four brush patrols, two water tenders, six paramedic ambulances, one fast response vehicle, one advanced nurse practitioner unit, two bulldozers, 10 chief officers, fire investigators and safety officers, said LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley.
No injuries or fatalities have been confirmed, authorities said.
Peak winds were expected to occur between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Wednesday, officials said. Firefighters were expected to battle the blaze from the air well into the evening, making it more dangerous because of the darkness and strong winds.
Video from the scene shows at least two homes on fire in the area of Shadow Mountain Drive and Bienveneda Avenue, according to a report from FOX 11. At least a dozen homes on Shadow Mountain Drive are at threat.
RECORD FIRE IN CALIFORNIA BURNS HUNDREDS OF ACRES, FORCES EVACUATIONS, INJURES MULTIPLE FIREFIGHTERS
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was near the blaze being briefed by authorities before Tuesday’s news conference, his office said.
“On the ground in Pacific Palisades and getting briefed by @CAL_FIRE on the #PalisadesFire in Los Angeles,” read a post on X. “Californians in the affected areas should stay alert and follow evacuation orders from local authorities.”
Newsom also warned that Southern California was facing dangerous winds and extreme fire risk.
“Heed evacuation orders from local authorities,” he said.
Gov. Newsom declared a state of emergency Tuesday night, unlocking additional state resources and assistance from the California Office of Emergency Services.
The California National Guard can also now be activated, if needed.
Due to limited resources, reporters on the scene noted no firefighters were in the neighborhood. FOX 11’s Matthew Seedorff used a garden hose to attempt to put out flames.
The Getty Villa, one of two campuses of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, was on high alert from the fire. Museum leaders said the facility is closed to the public on Tuesdays.
“The Getty Villa will remain closed at least through Monday, January 13. We, of course, are very concerned for our neighbors in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the surrounding areas,” Katherine E. Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, told Fox News Digital in a statement.
“Fortunately, Getty had made extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year,” Fleming added. “Some trees and vegetation on site have burned, but staff and the collection remain safe. Additional fire prevention measures in place at the Villa include water storage on-site. Irrigation was immediately deployed throughout the grounds Tuesday morning. Museum galleries and library archives were sealed off from smoke by state-of-the-art air handling systems. The double-walled construction of the galleries also provides significant protection for the collections.”
Officials said the Los Angeles Fire Department was prioritizing all structures as the flames spread, not just those that may be tourist attractions.
In response to the fire, the Los Angeles Unified School District relocated Palisades Charter Elementary School and Marquez Charter Elementary School to Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet school. Paul Revere Charter Middle School was relocated to University High School Charter and Topanga Elementary Charter School students reported to Woodland Hills Academy.
Flames erupted at Palisades Charter High School just after 8:30 p.m., according to FOX 11.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was on her way back to Los Angeles after attending the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama today in Accra, Ghana, said Los Angeles City Council President Marquis Harris Dawson, who is the acting mayor while Bass is out of town.
“The city of LA is declaring a state of emergency through this wind event,” he added.
She was 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.
Newsom said President Biden granted funding for California to fight the fire via a quick text message. The governor said he didn’t have to “kiss the ring” to get the emergency funds. President-elect Trump previously suggested he would withhold disaster funding from California if the state doesn’t follow his policies.
“We’re all in this together. None of us are asking for respective political identities around here. Everybody’s rolling in the same direction, because everyone gives a damn,” he said, appearing to quietly refer to Trump. “They’re here for each other, and that’s the spirit that defines the best of this state and this country.
“And no one here is playing politics. We have an American president and Joe Biden that recognizes his responsibility in times of emergency when Americans are in need, he steps up. He steps in, not qualified by a particular request or an expectation… It’s rather precious. My message to the incoming administration, and I’m not here to play any politics, is, please don’t play any politics. There’s a time and place for that.”
Mandatory evacuation orders were 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.
Authorities said if needed, the city’s emergency management division will provide information about additional locations.
Los Angeles County Lifeguards said elevated fire weather conditions with dry offshore winds were expected to persist through Wednesday.
“Residents should remain prepared to evacuate and stay clear of the area to allow emergency responders to operate safely,” the agency said.
The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) reported no changes to its flight operations, as of 7:50 p.m.
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.”
The fire started at about 10:30 a.m. near Piedra Morada and Monte Hermoso and 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.
Authorities began ordering people to evacuate their homes a short time later. By 2:30 p.m., the blaze had grown to 772 acres.
“This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is lawfully closed to public access,” CAL Fire said in an alert.
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.
“Stay indoors and away from windows. Expect power outages,” the NWS said.