Tens of Thousands Flee Deadly Wildfires in Southern California

Wildfires fueled by strong winds in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, California, have scorched a quickly growing area of Los Angeles County, killing at least two people.

The fierce and unpredictable fires have forced roughly 70,000 evacuations and destroyed approximately 1,000 buildings and homes, reported the Los Angeles Times.

“We woke up to a dark cloud over all of Los Angeles, but it is darkest for those who are most intimately impacted by these fires,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, as the Los Angeles Times reported. “It is difficult to process the immensity of the destruction and loss, and we extend our hearts and every resource we have to all of our impacted residents.”

The Palisades fire has burned over 5,000 acres all the way to the Pacific Coast Highway, destroying many homes, said LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone during a Wednesday morning news conference.

“Extreme fire behavior, including short and long-range spotting, continues to challenge firefighting efforts for the Palisades fire. Winds gusts up to 60 MPH are expected to continue through Thursday, potentially aiding in further fire activity and suppression efforts,” according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

The Eaton fire has charred over 2,200 acres near Pasadena and Altadena, fanned by wind gusts as high as 99 miles per hour, reported the Los Angeles Times. The fire has claimed two lives and caused serious injuries, with over 100 structures destroyed, Marrone said.

A third fire, the Hurst fire, spread rapidly overnight when high winds whipped up in Sylmar, burning more than 500 acres.

Red flag warnings were in effect for both LA County and large areas of Ventura County until at least Thursday, as officials warned of a “life threatening, destructive and widespread windstorm.”

Weather forecasters predicted winds would ease during the day on Wednesday, but remain through Friday.

In the San Gabriel Mountains, Hollywood and Beverly Hills and coastal areas alongside the Santa Monica Mountains, Sepulveda Pass, eastern Venturn Valley and Malibu, the National Weather Service warned of a “particularly dangerous situation.” 

A red flag warning of this nature is expected to be issued by the National Weather Service an average of about once in three to five years, rather than the three times it has this fire season alone.

“We are absolutely not out of danger yet,” said Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley, adding that “these fires are stretching the capacity of emergency services to the maximum limits.”

LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said evacuation orders had been given to 32,500 residents in areas affected by the Eaton fire, with an additional 37,000 evacuated due to the Palisades fire.

“When we looked out the window there was this giant orange glow, so we went outside to see what it was and when looked to the left we saw this smoke plume coming from the Pacific Palisades,” said Marika Erdely, resident of the Topanga neighborhood in Pacific Palisades, as reported by CNN. “When I got the evacuation notice my cousin and I quickly put our things into bags and laundry baskets and left. The northbound lane was completely full, and first responders were trying to get through. Just the sounds and everything were very scary. It felt apocalyptic.”

Lack of winter rains has extended the Southern California fire season, the Los Angeles Times reported. Downtown Los Angeles has received just 0.16 inches of rain since the start of the water year on October 1 — a fraction of the average 4.64 inches it normally gets.

“Southern California has experienced a particularly hot summer, followed by almost no precipitation during what is normally our wet season,” said Alex Hall, UCLA Center for Climate Science director, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. “And all of this comes on the heels of two very rainy years, which means there is plenty of fuel for potential wildfires.”

Jim McDonnell, chief of the LA Police Department, advised residents to stay vigilant, whether they’re currently in an evacuation area or not.

“These are unprecedented conditions, but also unpredictable,” McDonnell said. “As the fires continue to spread and pop up in different locations, none of us know where the next one is going to be.”