California has been placed under a state of emergency and two people have been reported dead as wildfires that broke out on Tuesday rip over metropolitan Los Angeles, causing voids and power outages.
The third largest state in the United States, California has been frequently swept by wildfires, especially in the south.
Here's what we know about the fires, their impact and the latest news on the ground.
Where and when did the Los Angeles wildfires start?
At 10:30 a.m. (18:30 GMT) on Tuesday, the first wildfire broke out in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
This an affluent neighborhoodwhich lies between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, about 32 kilometers (20 miles) west of downtown Los Angeles.
What areas of LA were affected by wildfires and how much of the area was burned?
Nearly 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) of land were burned in the first Pacific Palisades fire by Tuesday night, according to Cal Fire.
Around 6pm (02:00 GMT) on Tuesday, a second fire, known as the Eaton Fire, broke out about 50km (30 miles) inland near Pasadena, and doubled in size to 162 hectares (400 acres ) in a few hours.
A third fire, also known as the Hurst Fire, broke out in Sylmar, in the San Fernando Valley northwest of Los Angeles.
Together, the three fires have burned through 2,285 hectares (5,648 acres).
How many people were killed in the LA wildfires?
On Wednesday morning, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Maroney said two deaths were reported in the Eaton fire as well as a “high number of major injuries to residents” in the Palisades fire.
A fire official told local television station KTLA that one female firefighter was injured in the fire in Palisades.
No deaths have been reported as a result of the Palisades fire.
Are the LA wildfires spreading further afield?
Yes, it seems. US media reported that the fires have already spread north, torching homes near Malibu.
Malibu began issuing evacuation orders Tuesday afternoon and Santa Monica Tuesday evening.
Were any buildings damaged?
The Palisades fire burned some trees and vegetation on the grounds of the Getty Villa Museum, one of the richest art museums in the world, which contains art and culture from ancient Greece and Rome.
In a post on the X social media platform, the museum said that no structures were on fire, and that “staff and the collection remain safe”.
The Eaton fire engulfed a McDonald's branch and the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, but employees at the latter escaped safely with their holy books, including Torahs, Melissa Levy, executive director of the temple to the New York Times.
American actor James Woods reported that his home in Pacific Palisades was damaged.
All the smoke detectors go off in our house and move to our iPhones.
I couldn't believe our beautiful little home in the mountains has been kept for so long. It feels like losing a loved one.
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025
Are Santa Ana winds causing California wildfires?
Officials have not determined the cause of those fires. However, winter wildfires are not uncommon in California due to the region's “Santa Ana” winds, which dry out vegetation and make it more susceptible to fire.
These are dry, warm and strong winds that are common in Southern California during the colder months due to conditions created by atmospheric pressure changes and cooler temperatures of the season.
Santa Ana winds form when high pressure over the Great Basin, a large, dry region in the western US, forces air to flow toward the coast. As the air passes through mountain ranges and valleys, it loses moisture, compresses and accelerates, becoming warmer and faster.
The geography of the area, including the orientation of the mountains and valleys, directs the winds to southern California and the Pacific coast.
Experts say this winter has been particularly dangerous.
“We really haven't seen a season as dry as this one followed by a season as wet as the previous one – it's followed immediately by that abundant growth of grass and vegetation with a wind event of this magnitude while it's still so dry,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, on Monday's live stream.
The intense Santa Ana winds have been linked to some of the worst wildfires in southern California, including the Franklin fire in December 2024 that burned more than 1,600 hectares (4,000 acres) of the Malibu area, and damaged or destroyed nearly 50 homes.
On Saturday, the National Weather Service issued the highest warning for severe fire conditions for much of Los Angeles County from Tuesday through Friday.
A Fire Weather Watch is in effect Tuesday-Friday for parts of LA/Ventura Counties. There is potential for damaging north and northeasterly winds, which are likely to peak Tuesday-Wednesday.
As there is not much rain yet, the fire season will continue into the New Year! #CAwx pic.twitter.com/fahxe7RIpI
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 3, 2025
When will the fires stop?
Experts and officials are not optimistic that the fires will be extinguished soon.
Forecasters said the seasonal winds could become the worst windstorm in a decade, with gusts of up to 160km/h (100mph) expected. Typically, wind gusts above 64km/h (40mph) can start to damage trees and infrastructure and become a nuisance.
“It's going to be a rough night, I think. And what's going on now is just the beginning because the weather is going to get much worse,” meteorologist Daniel Swain told AFP news agency.
LA Mayor Karen Bass warned that “the windstorm is expected to worsen through the morning”, in a post on X early Wednesday.
On Wednesday morning, Cal Fire said that none of the three fires around Los Angeles have been contained because winds are still so strong. Firefighters have been trying to work through the steep terrain of the Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica hills to cut back vegetation and create a break in the fire.
What happens next?
An “Extremely Hazardous Situation” red flag warning was issued for 19 million people in parts of southern California. This warning is usually only issued “in rare circumstances when a severe, strong, and violent tornado is possible,” according to the National Weather Service. It was last extinguished during the December 2024 Franklin Fire that burned approximately 1,633 hectares (4,037 acres), damaged or destroyed 48 structures, and was completely contained by December 18.
Amidst all this, power outages have also hit the town. CBS News reported that at 12:30 a.m. local time (08:30 GMT) on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported that approximately 127,000 customers were without power. Data from PowerOutage.us showed more than 220,000 homes and businesses in Los Angeles County were without power late Tuesday.
What actions are being taken?
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from the affected areas and schools have been closed. Some Hollywood events have been cancelled.
More than 30,000 people were evacuated, with many fleeing on foot after traffic stopped. Emergency shelters have been opened for evacuees from the Palisades and Hurst fires, while they animal shelters have been set up for the pets of residents affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Emergency shelters are open for Angelenos who have been evacuated due to these devastating fires.#Fire palisades Shelter:
Westwood Entertainment Center – 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd#HurstFire Shelter:
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center – 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 8, 2025
The Los Angeles Zoo said it would remain closed Wednesday while 18 school districts are also reporting closures, according to the Los Angeles County Office of Education. The Screen Actors Guild Awards kicked off their in-person nominations ceremony on Wednesday.
31st Screen Actors Guild Awards® Nomination Update Announced pic.twitter.com/v7dvzIQtc0
— SAG® Awards (@SAGawards) January 8, 2025
The National Weather Service urged people to stay indoors and away from windows during the storm.
California has deployed 1400+ firefighters & hundreds of pre-positioned assets to fight the unprecedented fires in LA.
Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all on deck throughout the night to do everything to protect life.
— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced “all hands on deck” with more than 1,400 firefighters being deployed to fight the fires. US President Biden has also agreed federal assistance.
