Pacific Palisades Wildfire Forces Mass Evacuations as Flames Devour Hillsides

Wildfire sweeps through Los Angeles hillside, forcing mass evacuations. Pacific Palisades Wildfire Forces Mass Evacuations as Flames Devour Hillsides

A fast-moving wildfire has erupted in the Pacific Palisades, an affluent hillside neighbourhood in Los Angeles, United States, prompting the evacuation of 30,000 residents in about 10,000 homes. The blaze is being driven by fierce Santa Ana Winds , with gusts forecast to reach up to 161 kilometres per hour (kmph) in some areas, according to the US National Weather Service .

The Pacific Palisades area

The Pacific Palisades area, known for its celebrity homes and stunning vistas between Santa Monica and Malibu, is now a scene of devastation . A towering cloud of smoke is visible from Venice Beach, more than six miles away. While no injuries have been reported, the fire department has received multiple reports of property damage. The fire grew to nearly 3000 acres by 7.30 pm local time.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, mobilising resources to combat the flames and protect communities. “All hands are on deck to fight the #PalisadesFire,”  newson posted on X . “California is deeply grateful for the brave firefighters & first responders battling the blaze.”

The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon and initially covered just 10 acres. However, Kristin Crowley, Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, explained that winds exceeding 64 kmph caused the fire to expand rapidly, reported Sky news Over 250 firefighters are currently on the ground, with additional support expected as conditions worsen.

“This is extreme fire weather,” Crowley said. “The fire is destructive and life-threatening, and our crews are doing everything they can to protect lives and property.”

Local officials and emergency services have emphasised the urgency of evacuation orders. Mayor Karen Bass assured residents that the city is  working aggressively  to provide resources and shelter to those displaced by the fire.

Fast-moving blaze scorches over 770 acres in three hours, prompting urgent evacuation orders across coastal neighborhoods

brush fire swept through Pacific Palisades

A brush fire swept through Pacific Palisades Tuesday morning, forcing residents to flee as firefighters battled against strong winds. As KTLA Report the fire started around 10:30 a.m. near North Piedra Morada Drive, quickly spreading through the hillside community.

The blaze grew to more than 770 acres within three hours—consuming nearly three football fields of land per minute. Firefighters were seen working to save at least one home as flames pushed through the neighborhood.

More than 100 firefighters and pre-positioned strike teams worked to contain the spreading flames. Winds gusting to 50 mph in higher elevations prompted officials to order mandatory evacuations for the entire Pacific Palisades community down to the Pacific Ocean, including areas of Malibu east of Las Flores.

Residents met gridlocked traffic on evacuation routes, with some leaving their vehicles behind. Actor Steve Guttenberg, speaking from the scene, asked neighbors to work together. “Don’t worry about your personal property, just get out, get your loved ones and get out,” he said.

Governor Gavin Newsom arrived Tuesday afternoon for an emergency briefing with CalFire. The conditions led to the postponement of President Biden’s planned ceremony to designate two new National Monuments.

Officials closed westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway at Lincoln Boulevard and northbound Pacific Coast Highway to assist evacuees. The Westwood Recreation Center opened as an evacuation center, accepting residents and small animals.

Weather forecasts paint a concerning picture, with ridge-top wind gusts expected to reach 60 to 70 mph overnight. The National Weather Service predicts another day of extreme fire conditions Wednesday for L.A. and Ventura Counties.

With Thanks Reference to:https://lamag.com/news/pacific-palisades-wildfire-forces-mass-evacuations-as-flames-devour-hillsides And https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/wildfire-sweeps-through-los-angeles-hillside-forcing-mass-evacuations