Devastating Wildfires Force Thousands to Flee Los Angeles/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Wildfires fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds have ravaged Los Angeles neighborhoods, forcing thousands to evacuate and destroying homes in Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas. Over 30,000 residents remain under evacuation orders, with the fires threatening 13,000 structures and leaving 200,000 without power. Firefighters face challenges from extreme winds and dry conditions, with the blazes at 0% containment as of Wednesday morning.
Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles: Quick Looks
- Evacuation Chaos: Thousands flee Pacific Palisades and Malibu, abandoning cars as flames spread rapidly.
- Santa Ana Winds: Gusts over 100 mph drive flames through dry terrain, hindering firefighting efforts.
- Destruction: Over 13,000 structures are threatened, with homes and schools damaged.
- Power Outages: More than 200,000 residents are without power in Los Angeles County.
- State of Emergency: Gov. Gavin Newsom has deployed over 1,400 firefighters and declared a state of emergency.
Devastating Wildfires Force Thousands to Flee Los Angeles
Deep Look
Wildfires erupted across the Los Angeles area late Tuesday and into Wednesday, forcing frantic evacuations and leveling homes as powerful Santa Ana winds fueled the flames. The fires, burning out of control in Pacific Palisades, Sylmar, and other areas, have left thousands displaced and caused widespread destruction.
Evacuations Amid Desperation
In Pacific Palisades, residents fled their homes as flames engulfed the hillside neighborhood. Many abandoned vehicles and escaped on foot, carrying pets and belongings.
Sheriece Wallace recalled the moment she realized her neighborhood was on fire. “I thought it was raining, but it was a helicopter dropping water,” she said. “When I opened my door, it was like the fire was right there.”
Roads became impassable, forcing emergency crews to clear abandoned cars with bulldozers. Ash rained down as residents fled toward the ocean.
Fires Across the Region
Three major fires broke out:
- Eaton Fire: Burning 1.6 square miles northeast of Los Angeles.
- Hurst Fire: Spanning 500 acres in Sylmar.
- Palisades Fire: Destroying 4.5 square miles, spreading to Malibu.
The flames were fueled by Santa Ana winds exceeding 100 mph in some areas, creating conditions too dangerous for firefighting aircraft. Fire crews called in off-duty personnel to assist, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power struggled to supply water to higher elevations.
Devastation in Pacific Palisades
Pacific Palisades, known for its multimillion-dollar homes and Hollywood history, was hit particularly hard. Flames jumped Sunset Boulevard and damaged parts of Palisades Charter High School, a filming location for iconic movies like Carrie and Freaky Friday.
Residents described the destruction as apocalyptic. Will Adams, a 56-year resident, evacuated with his family as embers flew into his wife’s car.
“It’s everywhere, in all the nooks and crannies of the Palisades,” Adams said. “One home’s safe, the other one’s up in flames.”
Actor James Woods posted footage of flames tearing through the hills near his home.
State Response and National Attention
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and deployed over 1,400 firefighters to combat the blazes. “Emergency officials and first responders are doing everything possible to protect lives,” Newsom said.
President Joe Biden canceled plans to visit Riverside County to announce new national monuments, opting to remain in Los Angeles, where smoke was visible from his hotel. FEMA approved a grant to help California cover firefighting costs.
Impact and Challenges
As of Wednesday morning, the fires remained at 0% containment. Over 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders, and more than 200,000 people were without power. The Los Angeles Unified School District relocated students from three schools, and several film studios canceled movie premieres.
The Santa Ana winds, combined with months of dry weather and soaring temperatures, have created the perfect conditions for wildfires to spread. Southern California has received less than 0.1 inches of rain since May, leaving vegetation dangerously dry.
A Community in Crisis
Pacific Palisades resident Kelsey Trainor described the chaos as residents tried to flee. “People were getting out of their cars with dogs and babies, crying and screaming,” she said.
As firefighters battle the flames and residents brace for more destruction, the crisis serves as a stark reminder of the growing intensity of California’s wildfire seasons.
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