The Pacific Palisades fire, which had expanded to nearly 3,000 acres by 6:30 p.m. local time, was initially reported before 11 a.m. and swiftly led to the evacuation of thousands of people across the region extending into Malibu. From the mountains to the coast, large plumes of smoke and flames billowed from the area as firefighters battled the wind-fueled blaze. By Tuesday evening, the brush fire had crossed the Pacific Coast Highway, coming close to Will Rogers Beach State Park.
A second brush fire in Altadena, northeast of Pacific Palisades, also sparked on Tuesday evening. Fueled by strong winds, the Eaton fire rapidly grew from 10 acres to 400 acres in under two hours, prompting mandatory evacuations in several areas.
President Joe Biden, who was in Los Angeles, received updates on the fast-spreading fires and urged residents in affected areas to stay alert and follow local officials’ guidance, especially in evacuation orders.
Approximately 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders, with over 10,000 homes at risk due to the Palisades fire. Santa Monica also issued a mandatory evacuation for a portion of the city north of San Vicente Boulevard, citing an immediate threat to life.
The fires also posed a threat to landmarks such as Pacific Palisades Charter High School, Theatre Palisades, and the Getty Villa museum in Malibu. Despite the encroaching flames, the Getty Villa assured the public of the safety of its collection through extensive fire mitigation efforts and protective measures in place.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone warned that wind conditions were expected to worsen, emphasizing the ongoing danger posed by the fires.
Smoke billows from a brush fire in Pacific Palisades and drifts over the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, California, on January 7, 2025. The strongest winds were expected to peak between 10 p.m. on Tuesday and 5 a.m. on Wednesday, with residents urged to have evacuation plans in place. These dangerous winds were forecast to persist until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, affecting multiple counties and reaching wind gusts of up to 100 mph. Earlier, thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate from the area, while those not under evacuation orders were advised to stay put.
As the fire spread on Tuesday afternoon, traffic congestion clogged major streets in the Pacific Palisades area, prompting road closures and power outages across Los Angeles County. Firefighters worked to contain multiple fires, including one threatening West Hollywood. The cause of these fires was under investigation.
A “life-threatening” windstorm was predicted to increase fire danger in Southern California, with red flag alerts issued due to strong winds, low humidity, and dry conditions. The region also faced drought conditions, compounding the risks of wildfires.
A second blaze prompting evacuations occurred in Los Angeles last week. A moderate drought is currently affecting areas from Los Angeles to San Diego, resulting in extremely dry vegetation that has the potential to ignite and contribute to the spread of wildfires.
