DEVELOPING: Massive Fire Near Los Angeles Forces Thousands To Evacuate, Newsom Declares State Of Emergency

A vicious inferno in Southern California has forced thousands of residents to evacuate and threatens to destroy thousands of buildings.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Tuesday night, with roughly 30,000 people evacuated from the area.

The fast-moving fire erupted in Pacific Palisades, burning approximately 3,000 acres by Tuesday evening.

“California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as the Palisades Fire threatens more than 13,000 structures and displaces approximately 30,000 people, prompting expanded evacuations across Los Angeles County,” Rawsalerts wrote.

#BREAKING: California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as the Palisades Fire threatens more than 13,000 structures and displaces approximately 30,000 people, prompting expanded evacuations across Los Angeles County. pic.twitter.com/TvnPkqfuhl

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 8, 2025

“California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from @FEMA for the #PalisadesFire — which is critical to supporting local fire department response costs,” Newsom said.

“Fire officials and first responders are working relentlessly to protect residents and property in affected areas,” he added.

California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from @FEMA for the #PalisadesFire — which is critical to supporting local fire department response costs.

Fire officials and first responders are working relentlessly to protect residents and property in affected areas. pic.twitter.com/GqMkFiIAO5

— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025

Fox News reports:

About 30,000 people have been evacuated from a total of 10,000 households, or 15,000 structures, to include businesses and other buildings so far with no injuries, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters at a news conference.

Over 250 LAFD firefighters were battling the blaze, in addition to firefighters from neighboring agencies. Approximately 30 vehicles left abandoned on Sunset and Palisades will be moved by the county to provide clear access, the fire department said.

LAFD announced via X at about 9:30 p.m. all off-duty members are to call with their availability to be called upon to help fight the fire.

Other fire vehicles being utilized included 46 engines, three trucks, five helicopters, four brush patrols, two water tenders, six paramedic ambulances, one fast response vehicle, one advanced nurse practitioner unit, two bulldozers, 10 chief officers, fire investigators and safety officers, said LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley.

No injuries or fatalities have been confirmed, authorities said.

Peak winds were expected to occur between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Wednesday, officials said. Firefighters were expected to battle the blaze from the air well into the evening, making it more dangerous because of the darkness and strong winds.

Video from the scene shows at least two homes on fire in the area of Shadow Mountain Drive and Bienveneda Avenue, according to a report from FOX 11. At least a dozen homes on Shadow Mountain Drive are at threat.

“I’ve proclaimed a state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the #PalisadesFire. Southern California residents: stay vigilant, take all necessary precautions, and follow local emergency guidance,” Newsom said.

I’ve proclaimed a state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the #PalisadesFire.

Southern California residents: stay vigilant, take all necessary precautions, and follow local emergency guidance. pic.twitter.com/ONlIqbpLtW

— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025

Footage of the inferno circulated on social media:

I’m in shock. This is Temescal Canyon, from Sunset right down to PCH. So many memories driving up here. Everything is on fire. There was a parked car on fire. #PalisadesFire pic.twitter.com/y8FvjFL0te

— Brianna Sacks (@bri_sacks) January 8, 2025

Devastation all around. I’ve lost count of the number of buildings we’ve seen on fire. This is Radcliffe Ave in Pacific Palisades, CA. #PalisadesFire #PacificPalisades #California pic.twitter.com/RKeuOQyMWG

— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) January 8, 2025

Palm Trees burn as the #PalisadesFire has reached the ocean. Crossing #PCH#PacificPalisades pic.twitter.com/Rwoz48As8a

— CAL WIRE (@calwireupdates) January 8, 2025

We’ve counted at least 7 homes in Pacific Palisades destroyed by flames as the fire continues to spread rapidly. Not sure if firefighters are struggling to get to this area or what, we’ve tried grabbing water hoses ourselves. #PalisadesFire pic.twitter.com/nv1P3s1XEP

— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) January 7, 2025

“To all the wonderful people who’ve reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not,” actor James Woods said.

To all the wonderful people who’ve reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not. pic.twitter.com/xZjvsIg6Fg

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

From the Los Angeles Times:

Wide swaths of Pacific Palisades, Topanga and Malibu were under an evacuation order by the afternoon, as residents fought traffic jams and heavy smoke as they tried to escape the nearby flames. The Palisades fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. near Piedra Morada Drive and was pushed by intense wind gusts that officials had warned could fuel any spark into a fast-moving and erratic wildfire.

The fire had blackened more than 2,900 acres by 6:30 p.m as it continued to charge southwest. The grounds of the Getty Villa caught fire, as did the campus of Palisades Charter High School.

“It’s bad. It’s like an inferno,” said Lori Libonati, who lives in Pacific Palisades. She saw the fire start to burn Tuesday morning before evacuating.

By 3:30 p.m., about 30,000 residents had been evacuated from 10,000 homes, with no injuries reported, said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell at an afternoon news conference. Firefighters responded to more than half a dozen calls of residents trapped in buildings throughout the day.

Gov. Gavin Newsom met with first responders in Pacific Palisades and called the blaze a “h*** of a way to start a new year” as he urged residents to heed evacuation orders. On Tuesday afternoon, he declared a state of emergency and announced that California had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant to receive federal reimbursement for firefighting costs.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Massive smoke plumes filled the sky around the fire as families evacuated not far from hillsides glowing orange. The blaze quickly jumped across Palisades Drive, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection — leaving many trying to evacuate in a precarious and chaotic situation. Some jumped out of their stalled cars to run toward the beach; others who were unable to get out were forced to return home and shelter in place, residents told The Times.

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