Mass Evacuations as Wildfires Rage in and Around Los Angeles, Destroying Homes

California firefighters are working tirelessly to control fast-moving wildfires that have wreaked havoc across the Los Angeles area, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate and causing extensive damage. The fires, whipped by fierce winds, destroyed homes, clogged roadways, and stretched firefighting resources to their limits early Wednesday morning.

One of the fires, which ignited Tuesday evening near a nature preserve northeast of LA, spread so quickly that staff at a senior living facility had to evacuate dozens of residents, including one as old as 102. The residents, many in wheelchairs or hospital beds, were moved to a parking lot where they waited for emergency transportation under a red-lit sky, surrounded by falling embers.

Hours earlier, another fire had torn through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, a coastal area known for its luxury homes and celebrity residents, famously referenced in the Beach Boys’ hit “Surfin’ USA.” In the scramble to escape, many residents abandoned their vehicles, creating massive traffic jams and making it impossible for emergency responders to pass. A bulldozer was deployed to clear the way, and video footage from the Pacific Coast Highway revealed widespread destruction.

Resident Kelsey Trainor described the chaotic scene, noting that the fire jumped from one side of the road to the other, forcing people to flee with their pets and children while others cried and screamed. The only access road was blocked by the flames, and ash fell around them.

A third wildfire broke out in Sylmar, a northern LA neighborhood, around 10:30 p.m. The causes of all three fires remain under investigation.

Santa Ana winds, which topped 60 mph (97 kph) in some areas and reached up to 70 mph (112 kph) by early Wednesday, further fueled the flames. Gusts were expected to reach 100 mph (160 kph) in some mountainous regions, creating conditions ideal for rapid fire spread.

The Los Angeles Fire Department issued a rare call for off-duty firefighters to assist, as the high winds grounded aircraft and hindered aerial firefighting efforts.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of over 1,400 firefighting personnel to combat the blazes. “All hands are on deck to protect lives,” he said in a post on X early Wednesday.

The fires prompted President Joe Biden to cancel his planned trip to Riverside County, where he was to announce new national monuments. Instead, he remained in Los Angeles, where the smoke was visible from his hotel, and was briefed on the wildfires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a grant to assist with firefighting expenses.

As of Wednesday morning, approximately 30,000 people were under evacuation orders in the Pacific Palisades area, and over 13,000 structures were at risk. No official damage estimates were provided, but many homes in the area were reported destroyed.

The fire spread through Temescal Canyon, a popular hiking area near multimillion-dollar homes, and jumped across Sunset Boulevard, reaching parts of Palisades Charter High School. Flames also moved into Malibu, where several residents suffered burn injuries, and a firefighter was hospitalized with a serious head injury.

By early Wednesday, the Eaton Fire had consumed 1.6 square miles (4 square kilometers), the Hurst Fire had spread to 500 acres (202 hectares), and the Palisades Fire had destroyed 4.5 square miles (11.6 square kilometers). All fires were at 0% containment, with more dangerous winds expected to intensify between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Gov. Newsom declared a state of emergency and urged residents to stay vigilant, warning that the worst of the winds had yet to come. Over 200,000 people were without power in Los Angeles County due to the high winds.

The fires have been exacerbated by dry conditions, with Southern California experiencing warmer-than-average temperatures and minimal rainfall since May. In the Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood adjacent to Malibu, many homes are perched on steep hillsides, making them vulnerable to the wildfires.

Will Adams, a long-time Palisades resident, shared his experience as he rushed to pick up his children when he learned of the nearby fire. His wife’s car was engulfed in embers as she tried to evacuate, and the family was forced to walk down toward the ocean until it was safe.

Actor James Woods shared a video showing flames engulfing the hills near his home, and staff at the Getty Villa, a museum in Pacific Palisades, reported some damage to the grounds, although the collection and staff were unharmed. The fire also reached Palisades Charter High School.

In the wake of the fires, some film premieres were canceled, and several schools in the Pacific Palisades area temporarily relocated students.