30K residents flee Los Angeles as wildfire creates state of emergency

(NewsNation) — A rapidly moving wildfire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles has spread to more than 2,900 acres, prompting mandatory immediate evacuations of nearby residents. 

There were no injuries reported due to the fire as of 3:45 p.m. local time, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley confirmed at a media conference.

There are 250 LAFD firefighters on scene, including 46 engines, three trucks and five helicopters, officials said. Roughly 30,000 residents from 10,000 households have been ordered to evacuate.

More than 13,200 structures are threatened by the fire. Click here to view the LAPD’s interactive evacuation zone map.

Palisades fire causes state of emergency declaration

“Angelenos should be advised that the windstorm is expected to worsen tonight through tomorrow morning and to heed warnings, stay vigilant and stay safe,” the city recommended.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said he reached out to President Joe Biden, who was in California when the blaze began and has started the process for receiving emergency funds. Newsom has declared a state of emergency.

As FEMA announced a Fire Management Assistance Grant has been approved, Biden confirmed he has been briefed on the fire.

“I am being frequently briefed on the wildfires in west Los Angeles. My team and I are in touch with state and local officials, and I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire,” the president said in a post on X.

The blaze was first reported as a vegetation fire around 10:30 a.m. PT but had spread 200 acres by the next hour due to strong winds, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Erik Scott, reported NewsNation local affiliate KTLA.

By 2:30 p.m. PT, the fire had spread to more than 772 acres. An hour later, the blaze had spread to 1,262 acres.

The fire’s reach more than doubled to 2,921 acres by 6:30 p.m. PT. 

Palisades wildfire map: Who has evacuated?

CALFIRE ordered evacuations for the entire community down to the Pacific Ocean for an “immediate threat to life” as of 3 p.m. PT. Later evacuation orders included Malibu, Calabasas and Santa Monica.

Los Angeles has declared a state of emergency for the winds produced by the flames.

Authorities shut down the Pacific Coast Highway from the Interstate 10 freeway to Topanga Canyon, allowing only limited access to facilitate the movement of evacuees and emergency vehicles.

“Fire is burning westward near the Pacific Palisades Highlands community with Rustic Canyon to the East & Topanga Cyn to the West are all under Evacuation warning,” Scott said, according to the outlet.

City officials said they have had to move vehicles left abandoned on Sunset and Palisades to provide clear access. Almost 100 vehicles were left abandoned at the intersection, according to an alert.

KTLA reported that a bulldozer moved around 200 cars out of the way.

“This is pretty much the worst possible scenario for a firefight,” David Ortiz of the LAFD said.

Newsom said he anticipates other fire events happening concurrently due to the wind and that the worst is yet to come.

Santa Ana windstorm fueling Los Angeles fire

The National Weather Service said what could be the strongest Santa Ana windstorm in more than a decade began Tuesday across Los Angeles and Ventura counties and peaked in the early hours of Wednesday when gusts could reach 80 mph. Isolated gusts could top 100 mph in mountains and foothills.

“The President has been briefed on the wildfires in Los Angeles and at his direction his team is in contact with state and local officials to offer any federal assistance as needed. In response to the Governor’s request, FEMA has just approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support the impacted community and help reimburse California for firefighting costs.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement on X, calling the wildfire a “very dangerous situation.”

“Firefighters are now actively and aggressively responding to the palisades fire with support from regional partners. Angelenos in the area are urged to heed evacuation warnings and follow direction from public safety officials. Due to increasing winds, this is a very dangerous situation,” she said.

Electricity providers have initiated planned power shutoffs to limit further fire starts. About 4,000 customers in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties have seen shutoffs, according to Southern California Edison, reported the Los Angeles Times.

San Diego Gas & Electric is considering cutting off power to more than 60,000 customers beginning Tuesday, mostly for those located across inland San Diego County, according to the outlet.

Several school districts, including the Los Angeles Unified School District, are temporarily relocating students due to the fire.

Nearby Eaton fire prompts more evacuations

A fire erupted around 7:30 p.m. PT in the Eaton Canyon area north of Altadena, California, roughly 40 miles east of the Pacific Palisades’ blaze.

The fire, which has quickly spread to 400 acres, prompted mandatory evacuations, per the Angeles National Forest’s X account.

What is the Pacific Palisades?

Pacific Palisades is a neighborhood in Los Angeles that is home to many high-profile entertainers. Residents were finding their escape routes congested and slow-moving, KTLA reported.

Pacific Palisades’ current honorary mayor, actor Eugene Levy, told the Los Angeles Times that the “smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon,” adding that he “couldn’t see any flames but the smoke was very dark.”

Actor Steve Guttenberg urged residents to “band together” and help everyone get to safety in an interview with the outlet.

“Don’t worry about your personal property, just get out, get your loved ones and get out,” he pleaded, adding that he had friends in the area who were under evacuation orders but were currently stuck without a clear way out.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.