CALIFORNIA: 30,000 evacuated in Palisades Fire

Tens of thousands fled their homes as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades quickly spread to nearly 3,000 acres Tuesday, a blaze that authorities said could grow further as even stronger winds are expected through the night.

Click here for an evacuation map.

Click here for road closures.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the Palisades Fire started at 10:30 a.m. near 1190 North Piedra Morada Dr. With winds reaching at least 40 mph, the flames quickly spread to about 200 acres and grew exponentially. 

It continued to spread rapidly through the hillsides. As of 6:30 p.m., the fire had burned 2,921 acres. Authorities evacuated about 30,000 people as flames threatened more than 10,000 homes.

Santa Ana winds are expected to strengthen later in the evening, peaking from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 5 a.m. Wednesday — potentially complicating firefighting efforts and carrying flames even further.

"We're not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination," Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters Tuesday afternoon, saying that the state dispatched 110 fire engines to Southern California in anticipation of the high winds. 
 

CALIFORNIA 🚨 Powerful winds have ripped "wildfire" through the coastal Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. At least 30,000 residents have been forced to evacuate. This is Radcliffe Avenue.

pic.twitter.com/5EYUPcFmXV

— Toria Brooke (@realtoriabrooke) January 8, 2025

Newsom said he saw homes burning but authorities have not yet released an exact estimate for the damage.

Forecasters say gusts could reach up to 100 miles per hour in some parts of the region — likely the worst conditions seen since a windstorm in 2011 left behind $40 million in damage in Los Angeles County.
 

🚨Palisades Fire 🚨

The following road closures are in place:

Southbound PCH at Las Flores Canyon Rd

Southbound PCH at Topanga Canyon Boulevard

Coastline Drive and southbound PCH

Traffic in these areas will be diverted northbound on PCH. pic.twitter.com/IeZDcqFoes

— CHP - West Valley (@CHPWestValley) January 7, 2025

The Pacific Coast Highway was completely shut down near Topanga Canyon Boulevard, according to the California Department of Transportation.

Roads close, schools relocate due to growing blaze

The following closures of the PCH have been announced by authorities while the latest updates can be found here.

Southbound Pacific Coast Highway at Las Flores Canyon Rd

Southbound Pacific Coast Highway at Topanga Canyon Boulevard

Coastline Drive and Southbound Pacific Coast Highway

Several schools in the Pacific Palisades area are temporarily relocating students and staff, according to a Los Angeles Unified School District spokesperson. 

Ongoing updates here.