CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE RIPS THROUGH LA; FORECASTERS WARN WORST IS YET TO COME

California wildfire rips through LA; forecasters warn worst is yet to come

Wed 08 January 2025:

A wildfire ripped through a coastal area of Los Angeles on Tuesday and into Wednesday, forcing residents to flee by car and on foot.
Three fires broke out shortly after each other, beginning with the Pacific Palisades fire, the Eaton fire and the Hurst fire.
Governor Gavin Newsom says California has deployed more than 1,400 firefighters to combat the blazes.
According to officials, an area of nearly 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) has burned between Santa Monica and Malibu beach towns.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) said that the fires began at 10:30am on Tuesday (18:30 GMT) in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, home to many music and film stars.

Officials said that nearly 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares) had been burned between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu.

According to witnesses, several homes had caught fire, and the flames nearly reached their cars as people fled the hills of Topanga Canyon as the fire spread to the Pacific Ocean.

Local media also reported the fire spread north, setting fire to homes near Malibu.

Parts of Malibu and Santa Monica are currently under evacuation orders.

Los Angeles wildfires: Thousands evacuate California’s Palisades

◾️A wildfire ripped through a coastal area of Los Angeles on Tuesday and into Wednesday, forcing residents to flee by car and on foot.

◾️Three fires broke out shortly after each other, beginning with the Pacific… pic.twitter.com/leiIAK8Df4

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) January 8, 2025

What we know so far

Three wildfires broke out across the Los Angeles coastal area.

Palisades Fire

An almost 3,000-acre (1,200-hectare) blaze engulfed an area packed with multimillion-dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains.

A fire official told local television station KTLA that several people were injured in the Palisades Fire, some with burns to faces and hands.

One female firefighter had suffered a head injury.

Eaton Fire

According to Cal Fire, a second blaze called the Eaton Fire, broke out about 30 miles (50 km) inland in Altadena, near Pasadena, and increased in size to 1,000 acres (400 hectares) from 200 acres in a few hours.

CBS News reported that almost 100 residents from a nursing home in Pasadena were evacuated, with video showing elderly residents, many in wheelchairs and on gurneys, crowded onto a smoky and windswept carpark as firetrucks and ambulances attended.

Hurst Fire

Fire officials said a third blaze, the Hurst Fire, had started in Sylmar, in the San Fernando Valley northwest of Los Angeles, prompting the evacuation of nearby residents.

Weather conditions are going to get ‘a lot worse’, says meteorologist

The fire affecting southern California came as seasonal Santa Ana winds hit the area.

Forecasters said the seasonal winds could develop into the worst windstorm in a decade, with gusts of up to 100mph (160km/h) expected.

Meteorologist Daniel Swain told the AFP news agency, “This looks pretty, pretty concerning”.

“It’s going to be, I think, a rough night. And what’s going on now is only just the beginning because weather conditions are going to get a lot worse,” he added.

While wildfires are an expected part of life in the US West and play a vital role in nature, scientists say human-caused climate change is altering weather patterns.

People were ‘crying and screaming’ as they fled Palisades fire, say residents

One resident who evacuated his house told broadcaster KTLA that the Palisades fire had caused hot ashes to rain down on his community of Sea Ridge.

“There was smoke in the distance, and I was assured that it would not come over the hill … Five minutes later, it’s coming down the hill,” Gary said.

“Everyone panicked, that’s when everybody made a run and went to go and pack their houses up,” he added.

Pacific Palisades resident Kelsey Trainor said the only road in and out of her neighbourhood was blocked, with ash falling all around them as fires burned on both sides.

“We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road,” Trainor told The Associated Press.

“People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming.”

California governor says at least 1,400 firefighters on the ground

California Governor Gavin Newsom says the state has deployed “1400+ firefighting personnel & hundreds of prepositioned assets to combat these unprecedented fires”.

“Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives,” Newsom wrote on X.

In a separate post, the governor said mutual aid was “pouring in” from across the state to extinguish the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires.

“Hundreds of additional firefighters are headed south to join 1,400+ boots already on the ground. Thank you to our first responders quickly jumping into these firefights,” he added.

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Dozens of schools close due to fires and high windspublished at 13:49

Several schools in LA will be closed on Wednesday due to the fires and high winds in the area. Some have said lessons will be moved online.

The full list of districts affected has been published here., external

Schools in Santa Monica and Malibu have also been closed and a decision about whether to extend all closures will be made later on Wednesday.

Pets will die if left abandoned – take them with you, charity warns

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has issued a reminder that animals are likely to die if abandoned.

In a statement posted on its website, Peta says small animals should be placed securely in carriers; birds should be covered and dogs should be kept on a secure harness and lead.

“Take enough food for your animals to last several days,” it says. Large animals, like horses, shouldn’t be confined in stalls or barns. “If it’s impossible to remove them, they should be freed so that they can attempt to survive.”

Anyone who sees animals in danger or distress should assist if possible but if they’re unable to help, they should note their exact location and alert authorities immediately, the charity says.

Peta adds anyone who evacuates and intentionally abandons animals to fend for themselves may be prosecuted.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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