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A fast-moving wildfire erupted on Tuesday in the inland foothills northeast of Los Angeles, following a separate blaze that ravaged the city’s Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, destroying numerous homes and triggering evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents.
The Eaton fire in Altadena began near a nature reserve just before 6:30 p.m., spreading so swiftly that staff at a senior care facility had to wheel dozens of residents in hospital beds and wheelchairs to a nearby parking lot, where they waited in their nightclothes for emergency evacuation.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Palisades fire, which had started earlier in the day, raged uncontrollably well into the night. The Los Angeles Fire Department urgently called for off-duty firefighters to assist in battling the flames, which were intensified by winds reaching over 60 mph (97 km/h), creating a chaotic scene as residents fled.
Firefighting aircraft were grounded due to the strong winds, further hampering efforts to contain the fire. In the Pacific Palisades area, homes were consumed by the flames, and roads became impassable, with residents abandoning their vehicles in panic and fleeing on foot, some carrying suitcases.
The gridlock on Palisades Drive obstructed emergency vehicles, and a bulldozer was deployed to clear the abandoned cars to create a path for the fire services. Governor Gavin Newsom, who was in Southern California for a national monument naming ceremony, made a detour to witness the devastation firsthand, commenting that many structures had already been destroyed.
Although officials have not provided a specific count of homes destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire, it is estimated that around 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders, with over 13,000 properties at risk. The fire started shortly after the onset of a severe Santa Ana windstorm, the most intense in over a decade, with gusts that could reach 100 mph (160 km/h). Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency and warned that the worst was yet to come.
By Tuesday evening, over 28,000 households were without power, and around 15,000 utility customers in Southern California had their power preemptively shut off to prevent potential sparks from equipment. In total, half a million customers were at risk of losing power.
The fire in Pacific Palisades, which has scorched approximately 4.6 square miles (11.6 square kilometres) of land, was visible across much of Los Angeles, including Venice Beach, six miles away. The fire has been one of several across the region, with major roadways like Interstate 10 and the Pacific Coast Highway closed to facilitate evacuations. Many residents, trapped by blocked roads, were forced to leave their cars and wait to be rescued.
Local resident Kelsey Trainor described the harrowing situation, recalling how the fire jumped across the road and how people fled, some with pets, babies, and bags. Emergency personnel worked to clear the blocked roads and direct evacuees to safety.
The Pacific Palisades area, which borders Malibu, is known for its steep hillsides dotted with expensive homes. The fire affected several high-value properties, including those within exclusive gated communities. Long-time resident Will Adams recounted the terrifying experience of hearing explosions and seeing the sky darken as the flames spread across the neighbourhood.
Actor James Woods shared footage of the fire raging through the hillside near his home, while fellow actor Steve Guttenberg urged those who abandoned their cars to leave their keys behind to allow fire trucks access.
As the fires continued, President Biden cancelled his planned visit to Riverside County and remained in Los Angeles, where he was briefed on the situation. He pledged federal assistance for firefighting efforts and approved funding to help cover the costs of containment. The Getty Villa, located in the heart of the Pacific Palisades, sustained damage, though the museum collection and staff were reported safe.
The ongoing fires have led to the cancellation of movie premieres and temporary relocations of students from three schools in the Pacific Palisades area. Southern California’s current dry conditions, exacerbated by strong Santa Ana winds, have contributed to the spread of wildfires, with little rain recorded in the region since early May.
Frances Ibiefo
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