According to the reports on Wednesday (8 January), a powerful wildfire, fueled by extreme winds, swept through Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, destroying homes and prompting evacuation orders for 30,000 residents. Roads were clogged with traffic as people abandoned their cars and fled on foot to safety, complicating efforts for emergency crews. California Governor Gavin Newsom surveyed the damage and declared a state of emergency, warning residents of worsening conditions as the fire continued to spread.
The fire began during a severe Santa Ana windstorm, labeled “life-threatening” by the National Weather Service, with gusts expected to exceed 100 mph in some areas. These winds have created dangerous conditions, leaving over 28,000 households without power and prompting preemptive outages for 15,000 utility customers to prevent equipment-induced fires. Officials have not confirmed the cause of the fire, but no injuries have been reported.
Spanning over 4.6 square miles, the Pacific Palisades fire has threatened more than 13,000 structures and sent smoke plumes visible across Los Angeles. The neighborhood, home to celebrity residences, saw flames engulf multi-million-dollar mansions and gated communities. Ash and embers rained down as residents reported fires jumping roads, with some narrowly escaping with their pets and belongings.
Other areas in Southern California also faced wildfire threats, including a blaze in Altadena that burned over 200 acres and prompted additional evacuations. Roads like Interstate 10 and the Pacific Coast Highway were closed to assist evacuation efforts. Officials warned that the worst winds were expected overnight, urging residents to remain vigilant as firefighting efforts continued under challenging conditions.
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