Palisades Fire Destroys Homes, Forces 30,000 to Evacuate Amid Severe Winds

Jan 7, 2025, 10:51 PM

A wind-driven wildfire, known as the Palisades Fire, erupted around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. The blaze quickly expanded from 20 acres to over 1,262 acres amid severe Santa Ana winds, which reached speeds up to 100 miles per hour. The fire is at 0% containment and has destroyed multiple homes, prompting mandatory evacuation orders for approximately 30,000 residents. Over 13,000 structures are threatened, and some residents have abandoned their vehicles to evacuate on foot due to congested roadways. Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley stated that more than 100 firefighters are battling the "extremely challenging" blaze, fueled by high winds and dry vegetation.