Pacific Palisades Wildfire: Newsom Issues State of Emergency, 30,000 Evacuated
Authorities report that around 13,000 structures are currently at risk, although the precise count of buildings impacted or destroyed by the fire remains unclear.
As per authorities, approximately 13,000 structures are in jeopardy, though the exact extent of the damage caused by the fire is still being assessed.
The cause of the wildfire in this affluent part of Los Angeles has yet to be established.
During a visit to the Southern California region—which is adjacent to Malibu, located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of downtown Los Angeles—Newsom made the emergency declaration while meeting with local and state firefighting officials.
This visit occurred shortly after the fire ignited at around 10:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, just after the commencement of a Santa Ana windstorm that the National Weather Service indicated could be “life-threatening” and the strongest in Southern California in over ten years.
Related Stories
“We extend our deepest gratitude to our skilled firefighters and first responders who promptly engaged in battling this perilous fire,” the governor expressed. “If you reside in Southern California, please heed weather reports and adhere to any directives from emergency officials.”
The emergency declaration enables local and state agencies to mobilize personnel, equipment, and resources to support affected communities.
It outlines that high winds ranging from 50 to 80 mph, coupled with low humidity and dry conditions, have intensified and spread the fire, posing an “imminent threat to life” as well as to buildings, homes, and vital infrastructure, including power lines and water tanks.
Firefighters Combat Additional Blazes
Firefighters are addressing a secondary blaze known as the Eaton Fire, which ignited later on Tuesday near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the Altadena/Pasadena area, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
A brush fire burns near homes in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Jan. 7, 2025. David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images
Approximately 15,000 utility customers in Southern California experienced power outages to mitigate the odds of equipment igniting fires, with half a million customers being at risk of preemptive power disconnections.
As of Tuesday evening, approximately 28,300 households were without power due to the intense winds, based on reports from the mayor’s office.
Vehicles are left stranded off the side of the road after residents tried to flee from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, on Jan. 7, 2025. Etienne Laurent/AP Photo
“My administration will take every possible action to assist in the response,” Biden affirmed regarding the wildfires.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
