Thousands of residents have fled their homes as raging wildfires continue to devastate the Los Angeles area, destroying more than 1,000 structures and claiming at least two lives. The fires, fueled by ferocious Santa Ana winds, have spread across multiple neighborhoods, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone confirmed that the fires have injured many and are threatening approximately 28,000 structures. Images from the affected areas reveal luxurious homes reduced to ashes and palm trees swaying against an ominous red sky.
At least four major fires are burning across the metropolitan area, stretching from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena, known for its annual Rose Parade. The fires erupted with alarming speed, prompting the Los Angeles Fire Department to call for additional off-duty firefighters. Aerial firefighting efforts have been grounded due to high winds but are expected to resume as conditions allow.
The most affected areas include the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley, and parts of Riverside County, including Coachella. In total, over 70,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, including prominent figures such as actors Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and James Woods. Vice President Kamala Harris’s Los Angeles residence also falls within an evacuation zone, though it was unoccupied at the time.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized that protecting lives is the highest priority. Hundreds of deputies are assisting with evacuations and responding to emergencies. In one harrowing incident, staff at a senior living center near a nature preserve northeast of Los Angeles were forced to evacuate residents, some as old as 102, using wheelchairs and hospital beds.
In the Pacific Palisades, the fires have caused widespread panic and destruction. Roadways became impassable as residents abandoned their vehicles to flee on foot. Video footage from the Pacific Coast Highway shows homes and businesses along the iconic roadway reduced to rubble.
Sheriece Wallace, a resident of the Palisades, recounted her experience of discovering the fire as a helicopter performed a water drop over her house. “I was like, ‘It’s raining,’” she said. “My sister told me, ‘No, your neighborhood is on fire. You need to get out.’”
Kelsey Trainor, another resident, described the chaos as ash rained down and flames surrounded her neighborhood. “People were getting out of cars with their dogs, babies, and bags. They were crying and screaming,” she said.
The fires are being driven by Santa Ana winds, which reached speeds of 80 mph early Wednesday and could exceed 100 mph in some areas. The National Weather Service warned that these winds could exacerbate the already dire situation, likening it to a destructive 2011 windstorm in Pasadena.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and deployed more than 1,400 firefighters to combat the blazes. “Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck to protect lives,” Newsom stated.
President Joe Biden, who was scheduled to visit Riverside County for a national monument announcement, canceled his plans to remain in Los Angeles. Visible smoke from the fires could be seen from his hotel, where he was briefed on the situation.
Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin noted that much of his city is under evacuation orders. Firefighting efforts in Pasadena have been hindered by the inability to deploy aircraft until winds subside. “Until we can get the aircraft up, it’s going to be difficult to control this blaze,” he said.
The fires have also impacted the iconic Temescal Canyon and Palisades Charter High School, both of which suffered damage. Several residents in Malibu have been treated for burns, and a firefighter sustained a serious head injury, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Erik Scott.
As of Wednesday morning, more than 180,000 residents were without power, with utility companies implementing preemptive shutoffs to reduce fire risks. The Hurst Fire in Sylmar and the Palisades Fire remain at 0% containment, with no end in sight to the destruction.
Longtime Palisades resident Will Adams described the surreal scene of embers flying into his wife’s car as she evacuated. “She left the car running and walked down toward the ocean,” he said. “It’s crazy—it’s everywhere, in all the nooks and crannies of the Palisades. One home is safe, and the next one is up in flames.”
California’s wildfire season, typically running from June through October, is increasingly extending into winter months due to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall attributed to climate change. This January outbreak is a stark reminder of the evolving threat posed by wildfires in the state.
Officials continue to investigate the causes of the fires while focusing on containment efforts. With more than 500,000 residents potentially facing power shutoffs and countless lives disrupted, California faces a long and arduous battle to recover from this latest wildfire catastrophe.
