Firefighters scrambled to corral a fast-moving wildfire in the Los Angeles hillsides dotted with celebrity homes as a “life-threatening, destructive” windstorm hit Southern California, fanning the blaze seen for miles while roads were clogged with cars as residents tried to flee.
Forecasters warned the worst may be yet to come with the windstorm predicted to last for days, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 mph in mountains and foothills.
Already the winds were toppling trees, creating dangerous surf and bringing extreme wildfire risk to areas that haven’t seen substantial rain in months.
Palisades fire
Aerial view coastal homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire on Thursday.
A firefighter battles a house fire along Pacific Coast Highway as the Palisades fire burns in Malibu on Wednesday.
A house burns along Pacific Coast Highway as the Palisades fire burns in Malibu on Wednesday.
Houses smolder along PCH.
ATM machines are burned and melted among the ruins of a bank on Sunset Boulevard.
Fire rages inside the United Methodist Community Church in Pacific Palisades.
The remains of beachfront homes in Malibu.
Homeless men walk along PCH with downed power poles nearby.
An L.A. County sheriff’s deputy helps a homeless woman evacuate near Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
A firefighter battles a house fire along PCH in Malibu.
People evacuate near Sunset Boulevard and Palisades Drive.
A car is engulfed in flames along Sunset Boulevard.
A firefighting plane makes a drop on a burning home.
A woman watches the Palisades fire burn behind the Santa Monica Pier.
LOG INShow Search
ADVERTISEMENT
Photos: Southland battling multiple wildfires, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds
Aerial view of a neighborhood destroyed by the Palisades Fire on Thursday..
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
By Wally Skalij
, Brian van der Brug, Genaro Molina, Gina Ferazzi, Robert Gauthier, Jason Armond and Christina House
Published Jan. 7, 2025 Updated Jan. 8, 2025 10 PM PT
Firefighters scrambled to corral a fast-moving wildfire in the Los Angeles hillsides dotted with celebrity homes as a “life-threatening, destructive” windstorm hit Southern California, fanning the blaze seen for miles while roads were clogged with cars as residents tried to flee.
Forecasters warned the worst may be yet to come with the windstorm predicted to last for days, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 mph in mountains and foothills.
Already the winds were toppling trees, creating dangerous surf and bringing extreme wildfire risk to areas that haven’t seen substantial rain in months.
Palisades fire
ADVERTISEMENT
Aerial view coastal homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire on Thursday.
A firefighter battles a house fire along Pacific Coast Highway as the Palisades fire burns in Malibu on Wednesday.
A house burns along Pacific Coast Highway as the Palisades fire burns in Malibu on Wednesday.
Houses smolder along PCH.
ATM machines are burned and melted among the ruins of a bank on Sunset Boulevard.
Fire rages inside the United Methodist Community Church in Pacific Palisades.
ADVERTISEMENT
The remains of beachfront homes in Malibu.
Homeless men walk along PCH with downed power poles nearby.
An L.A. County sheriff’s deputy helps a homeless woman evacuate near Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
A firefighter battles a house fire along PCH in Malibu.
People evacuate near Sunset Boulevard and Palisades Drive.
A car is engulfed in flames along Sunset Boulevard.
A firefighting plane makes a drop on a burning home.
A woman watches the Palisades fire burn behind the Santa Monica Pier.
Eaton fire
Altadena Community Church burned down by the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Thursday
Firefighters battle an intense apartment blaze on East Pine Street on Wednesday.
Abandoned wheelchairs remained Wednesday night after patients were evacuated from the Two Palms Nursing Center in Altadena.
A car and businesses burn along Lake Avenue in Altadena on Wednesday.
Steve Salinas shields himself from intense heat as he hoses down a neighbor’s rooftop in Altadena.
Samuel Girma runs to get another hose as he and others try to protect a home from flames on LaPaz Road in Altadena.
Greg Voorhies douses smoldering vegetation while trying to stop a neighbor’s house from igniting in Altadena.
A man uses a fire extinguisher on a burning home in Altadena.
Homes are engulfed as firefighters try to keep embers from jumping to nearby homes in Altadena.
Wind gust sends burning embers into the air in Altadena.
Sunset Fire
Firefighters work on the Sunset fire on Vista Street on Wednesday.
A firefighter sprays water on the Sunset fire on Vista street on Wednesday.
SOURcE: LA Times By Wally Skalij, Brian van der Brug, Genaro Molina, Gina Ferazzi, Robert Gauthier, Jason Armond and Christina House
Want more articles like this? SUBSCRIBE NOW!