Three fires are burning in Los Angeles — here's what to know
Los Angeles is waking up this morning to three fast-moving wildfires, strong winds and smoky skies after the infernos ignited yesterday during a dangerous Santa Ana windstorm.
The Palisades Fire sparked around 10:30 a.m. yesterday in the Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood tucked between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It quickly exploded to nearly 3,000 acres, sparking evacuations for at least 30,000 as the city was hit by wind gusts of up to 80 mph. The fire is zero percent contained.
The city of Malibu warned that all residents should prepare to evacuate quickly as the fire has spread into the coastal community.
The Eaton Fire sparked around 6:30 p.m. yesterday in the Pasadena and Altadena area, and grew to 1,000 around midnight. By 5:30 a.m. local time (8:30 a.m. ET), it doubled in size to 2,227 acres, according to Cal Fire. It is at zero percent containment.
The Eaton Fire has also prompted mandatory evacuations for some 52,000 residents and 21,000 structures, with additional evacuation warnings in place for another 47,000 residents.
The Hurst Fire ignited around 10:30 p.m. yesterday in Sylmar, north of San Fernando, and grew to 500 acres, according to Cal Fire. It stands at zero percent containment. Mandatory evacuations are in place for areas north of the 210 Freeway from Roxford to the Interstate 5/14 Freeway split, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Homes ravaged by Eaton Fire in southern California as residents fight to save properties
Multiple properties were ravaged by the Eaton Fire in a residential neighborhood of Southern California as some residents fought the fire with garden hoses.
Smoke advisory issued around Malibu and Santa Monica
A smoke advisory is in force around much of the Malibu Coast, stretching all the way down to Santa Monica and covering Beverly Hills.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District said the northeasterly winds are actively pushing the smoke from the fires southwest toward Malibu, forecasting the PM2.5 levels in the air to remain in the unhealthy category on the air quality index.
Authorities are also recommending those outdoors to use respirators for some protection.
Flames fill the sky over Malibu
The Palisades Fire burns above the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu this morning.
Most extreme conditions expected this morning, National Weather Service warns
The National Weather Service said winds should gradually weaken throughout the day but the worst conditions were expected this morning.
"Dangerous fire weather conditions are ongoing in southern California with the most extreme conditions expected this morning," it said in a post on X.
Critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist well into tomorrow, the weather service added.
Windstorms put Santa Clarita at risk from Hurst fire, L.A. county sheriff warns
The Hurst Fire, which has so far burned 500 acres in and around the San Fernando Valley, is approaching the nearby city of Santa Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department warned early today.
The fire is affecting the suburb of Sylmar — which is under an evacuation order — but windstorms are spreading the fire north toward Santa Clarita, the sheriff’s department said.
Mayor Bass says windstorm expected to worsen
The windstorm gutting Los Angeles is expected to worsen into the morning, Mayor Karen Bass said in a post on X.
"Angelenos should be advised that the windstorm is expected to worsen through the morning and to heed local warnings," said Bass, who is away from the country and yesterday attended the inauguration of the new president of Ghana.
Almost 300,000 energy customers without power in Southern California
The raging wildfires in the L.A. metro area are having a huge effect far beyond the danger zones, with almost 300,000 energy customers in the dark this morning, according to PowerOutage.com.
Some 200,000 of those severed connections are in L.A. County, with San Bernardino County and Ventura County also badly affected.
Wildfires hit famous names in star-studded Pacific Palisades
With the affluent area of Pacific Palisades one of those worst affected by the fires, many of its famous residents have shared their experiences and feelings.
After being evacuated from his hillside home late yesterday and sharing video of his neighbors' houses on fire, actor James Woods appeared to confirm that his house was caught up in the fire. Posting on X, the "Once Upon a Time in America" star said, “I couldn’t believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one.”
"Jurassic World" lead Chris Pratt also posted on X thanking the emergency workers for their response and sending his support to those affected by the fires. “Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds,” he wrote.
“You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage,” he added.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have a home in an area currently under an evacuation order and their second son, Chet Hanks, posted a message on Instagram, saying “the neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground [right now]. Pray for the Palisades.”
Alabama Barker — the daughter of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and stepdaughter of Kourtney Kardashian — said on the same platform that she had “just evacuated from my home due to wild fires in Los Angeles, please be safe !!”
WATCH: McDonald’s restaurant burns as Eaton Fire spreads in Pasadena, California
High winds drove the rapid growth of the Eaton Fire in Pasadena, California, posing a significant threat to nearby communities and making containment efforts challenging. A McDonald’s restaurant was among the buildings engulfed in the inferno.