WATCH LIVE: Officials hold press conference on Los Angeles wildfire
More than 13,000 buildings and 26,000 people are in the evacuation zone, which has been labeled «under immediate threat,» according to the LA Fire Department.
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.
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 3:25 p.m., nearly 1,300 acres had burned, according to Cal Fire.
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.
Flames close in on homes threatened by the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California, 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)
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)
Other fire vehicles being utilized include 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.
One of those on high alert is the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades off Pacific Coast Highway.
«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.
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.
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – JANUARY 07: Smoke rises from a burning vehicle during a brush fire pushed by gusting Santa Ana winds on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California. A fire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles has forced some residents to evacuate amid «life-threatening and destructive» winds. (Photo by Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images)
Getty Villa spokesperson Alexandria Sivak told Fox News Digital the Getty Villa is now closed to non-emergency staff.
Officials said the department was 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)
In response, 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.
A woman cries as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
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.
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)
«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 quieting refer to President-elect 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 not there’s a time and place for that. And at this moment where your question only reinforces the moments the precious moments that we have to evacuate. We don’t have time for any of that.»
A woman and children make their way down Sunset Boulevard away from the Palisades fire as traffic backs up on Sunset in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – JANUARY 07: A man makes his way down Sunset Boulevard away from the Palisades fire as traffic backs up on Sunset in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – JANUARY 07: Residents evacuate their home as a brush fire, pushed by gusting Santa Ana winds, burns on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California. A fire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles has forced some residents to evacuate amid «life-threatening and destructive» winds. (Photo by Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images)
Smoke rises from a burning vehicle during a brush fire pushed by gusting Santa Ana winds on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California. A fire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles has forced some residents to evacuate amid «life-threatening and destructive» winds. (Photo by Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images)
Mandatory evacuation orders are 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.
Los Angeles County Lifeguards said elevated fire weather conditions with dry offshore winds were expected to persist through Wednesday.
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)
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 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.
«Stay indoors and away from windows. Expect power outages,» the NWS said.
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