Los Angeles is in crisis as wildfires tear through upscale neighbourhoods, including the celebrity-packed Pacific Palisades area. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes as the flames spread rapidly, destroying buildings and threatening lives.
The worst of the fires, known as the Palisades Fire, has already burned more than 2,900 acres between Santa Monica and Malibu. Strong winds, reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h, have made the fire nearly impossible to contain. Over 30,000 residents have been evacuated, with some abandoning their cars on the Pacific Coast Highway and fleeing on foot as flames closed in.
Firefighters Race to Contain Blazes as Thousands of Homes and Lives Remain at Risk
Firefighters are working around the clock, using aircraft to scoop water from the ocean and drop it on the fire while bulldozers clear roads. Despite their efforts, officials say at least 10,000 homes remain at risk. “Evacuating quickly could mean the difference between life and death,” warned Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley.
The situation is even more alarming as two other fires have erupted nearby. The Eaton Fire near Pasadena doubled in size in just a few hours, forcing the evacuation of a nursing home with nearly 100 elderly residents. Meanwhile, the Hurst Firebroke out in Sylmar, northwest of the city, prompting more evacuations.
800 acres of the most expensive property in the United States has just been consumed by the fires and winds in Los Angeles.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 8, 2025
People are evacuating their homes in massive numbers and running for their lives.
Many ditched their cars and ran to the ocean.
Pray for California. pic.twitter.com/29ZftRmXAW
Luxury Homes Burn as Wildfires Ravage Pacific Palisades, Forcing Evacuations and Straining Shelters
The fires have hit Pacific Palisades especially hard, an area famous for its luxury homes and celebrity residents. Actor James Woods was among those evacuated as flames destroyed homes in Topanga Canyon and spread toward Malibu. Dramatic images show multi-million-dollar properties engulfed in flames, leaving entire neighbourhoods devastated.
The homes of Hollywood elites are once again in jeopardy as a wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California, has prompted an evacuation order.
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) January 7, 2025
This neighborhood is home to many Hollywood celebrities, business leaders, athletes, and artists, known for its luxurious residences and… pic.twitter.com/jvMVqcECJR
To help those displaced, shelters have been set up around the city, including the Westwood Recreation Center, which is also accommodating pets. Schools in affected areas have been closed, with students and staff moved to safety. Fire officials are pleading with residents to follow evacuation orders, as the combination of dry weather, high winds, and low humidity makes conditions extremely dangerous.
'We may not have experienced the worst yet'
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) January 8, 2025
ON #BBCBeakfast CBS reporter Danya Bacchus had the latest from Los Angeles where wildfires has forced the evacuation of more than 30,000 people https://t.co/AKHwGi6n0p pic.twitter.com/JTiRrjBX08
This latest wave of wildfires comes just a year after the Franklin Fire in December 2024, which burned through over 1,600 hectares and destroyed dozens of homes. As Los Angeles grapples with yet another wildfire disaster, the region is reminded of the growing risks posed by extreme weather and dry conditions.