A fierce wildfire is sweeping through Pacific Palisades, a celebrity-filled district in Los Angeles, forcing the evacuation of more than 30,000 residents. Within just a few hours, flames spread across 510 hectares, engulfing the surrounding brush and trees. Local authorities have issued urgent warnings, describing the situation as “particularly dangerous.”
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), they first reported the fire around 10:30 a.m. local time, when it had already covered roughly 8 hectares. By mid-afternoon, with strong winds fanning the flames, the blaze had grown to over 500 hectares, threatening the safety of homeowners and endangering more than 28,000 buildings.
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The popular Pacific Coast Highway has been completely shut down as firefighters tackle the fast-moving flames. In a dramatic turn, people abandoned their cars along the scenic coastal route, fleeing on foot to escape the encroaching fire. Meanwhile, local schools moved students and staff to safer locations, and the Westwood Recreation Center was turned into an emergency shelter for residents and small pets.
Fire officials cite powerful winds of up to 160 km/h and extremely low humidity as key factors fueling the blaze. “If we manage to evacuate everyone safely,” said fire department spokesperson Margaret Stewart, “it could be a matter of life or death.”
With the wildfire still blazing out of control, authorities are urging the public to stay vigilant, follow evacuation orders, and support first responders in their fight against this fast-moving disaster.