Massive wildfires are raging across Los Angeles, fueled by dry conditions and strong Santa Ana winds, forcing thousands to evacuate.
Three wildfires are burning. The latest of those is the Hurst fire, initially called the Sylmar fire, which began at around 10:30 p.m. last night in the San Fernando Valley.
The fire spread rapidly, burning across 100 acres in 15 minutes, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. A mandatory evacuation order is now in place for residents in the area.
The other two active fires are the Palisades fire in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton fire near Altadena, which erupted on Tuesday night.
Map showing where wildfires are burning in Los Angeles. Three are ablaze in the city. Map showing where wildfires are burning in Los Angeles. Three are ablaze in the city. Windy.com
The Palisades fire has exploded in size, scorching over 2,900 acres with no containment as of Wednesday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. This fast-moving wildfire has forced approximately 30,000 residents in Pacific Palisades to evacuate under urgent orders.
“Evacuate now from the Palisades area. Those outside the evacuation zone should shelter in place. Evacuation order for Palisades Fire,” the Los Angeles Fire Department announced on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The City of Malibu has also urged residents to evacuate, posting on its X account: “Malibu urges all residents not under evacuation orders prepare to leave. #PalisadesFire is uncontained, fueled by Santa Ana winds. Evacuate now, especially if you need extra time or have pets/livestock. Find your evacuation zone at http://Protect.Genasys.com/Search. Avoid south/east PCH.”
The Palisades fire is expected to last until at least Thursday, LA County Fire said early today.
The Eaton fire has also spread rapidly, consuming an estimated 1,000 acres in the hills above Altadena. Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of both Altadena and Pasadena as firefighters struggle to control the blaze.
No deaths have been reported as a result of the fires so far.
Extreme Forecast
These wildfires are being exacerbated by unusually powerful Santa Ana winds, which have reached speeds of 40 to 60 mph or more. Known for their hot, dry nature, Santa Ana winds rapidly sap moisture from vegetation, leaving grasses, shrubs and trees highly combustible. According to NBC News, wind gusts are expected to peak at 100mph. Winds around Malibu Creek reached 66 miles an hour before midnight, according to the National Weather Service.
Under such conditions, any spark—whether from downed power lines, machinery or natural events such as lightning—can ignite an inferno, with containment efforts significantly hindered by the wind’s ferocity.
Fire Spread
Officials warn that the combination of dry vegetation, high temperatures and gusting winds creates a perfect storm for fire outbreaks, with the risk of new ignitions remaining high across Southern California.
Residents are urged to stay alert, adhere to evacuation orders and monitor official updates as emergency crews continue their fight against the flames.
Weather Warnings
As of Wednesday morning, severe weather warnings are in place for much of Los Angeles. Millions of people across Southern California are also under a red-flag warning, which means high temperatures, very low humidity and winds that are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.
Overnight, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency.
“We’ve declared a state of emergency to amplify our response to this devastating fire and clear a path for a rapid recovery,” Bass said.
“To the thousands of families impacted by this horrific fire – the City of Los Angeles is providing resources and shelter as this emergency continues,” she added. “To the hundreds of brave firefighters and first responders who have been responding all day to this blaze – we thank you. The City is working aggressively to confront this emergency.”
