Eaton Fire Near Pasadena Grows to 400 Acres; Residents and Hospital Evacuated

Jan 8, 2025, 03:51 AM

A rapidly expanding wildfire, dubbed the Eaton Fire, has erupted in the Eaton Canyon area near Pasadena and Altadena, California, on Tuesday evening. The fire has grown to over 400 acres within hours, fueled by extreme wind gusts reaching up to 100 mph, making air support operations impossible. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for several neighborhoods, including areas north of New York Drive, east of Altadena Drive, and west of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue, as well as specific streets such as Foxridge, Canyon Close, and Grand Oak. The fire is threatening structures, with flames impacting residences on Veranda Street and the Park Moreno convalescent hospital, where over 300 patients are being evacuated. Firefighters from the Pasadena Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, and U.S. Forest Service are in unified command, requesting additional resources, including over 50 engines for structure protection. The Los Angeles Fire Department has issued an urgent call for all off-duty firefighters. The fire is spreading rapidly downhill toward Interstate 210, exacerbated by widespread power outages affecting over 80,000 residents in Los Angeles. An evacuation center has been established at the Pasadena Civic Center. Residents are urged to heed evacuation orders and prepare for a prolonged emergency response as extreme winds continue to fuel the blaze.