The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles has rapidly expanded to over 2,921 acres, by early evening on Tuesday, Jan 7, prompting evacuation orders for approximately 30,000 residents. The fire is currently zero percent contained, with officials warning of dangerous conditions fueled by high winds reaching up to 100 mph.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response to the escalating situation. The fire’s growth has threatened more than 10,300 homes, with reports of at least six structures already destroyed.
Governor Gavin Newsom, addressing the situation during a site visit, explained, “Extreme winds can disperse the retardant or water immediately, making it difficult to combat the fire from the air.”
UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain has issued a stern warning about the escalating wind conditions in California, predicting that the peak of the event will occur between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday. “This event is not only not over, but it is just getting started and will get significantly worse before it gets better,” Swain cautioned, highlighting that the strongest winds and lowest humidity are yet to come.
The high winds are posing significant challenges to firefighting operations, particularly aerial interventions. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone noted that sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph render air drops of water and retardant largely ineffective.
As residents attempted to flee, many were caught in gridlock, leading some to abandon their vehicles. Reports indicate that flames approached the roadways, forcing individuals to seek refuge on foot.
Alongside the Palisades Fire, two other significant fires—the Eaton Fire and the Hurst Fire—have also erupted in the area. Major roadways are closed to facilitate evacuations and support firefighting efforts.