Thousands Flee Homes as Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles Suburbs
Wildfires have ravaged the suburbs of Los Angeles, forcing more than 30,000 residents to flee their homes as fierce flames and high winds wreaked havoc on communities.
The fires, fanned by winds reaching up to 100 mph (160 km/h), spread quickly across neighborhoods such as Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and Sylmar, triggering emergency evacuations and widespread disruption.
Eyewitnesses described scenes resembling an apocalypse, as residents abandoned their vehicles to escape the advancing flames. Local resident Marsha Horowitz recalled how firefighters urged people to leave their cars behind: “The fire was right up against the cars,” she said.
The Pacific Palisades fire alone has consumed over 3,000 acres, forcing both residents and celebrities to evacuate. Actor Eugene Levy, who lives in the area, shared his experience with the Los Angeles Times: “The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldn’t see any flames, but the smoke was very dark.”
Actor Steve Guttenberg, known for his role in Police Academy, stayed behind to assist firefighters by relocating cars to make space for emergency vehicles. “What’s happening is people take their keys with them as if they’re in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars,” he told the media.
Other celebrities affected by the fires include Mark Hamill, Kawhi Leonard, and Reese Witherspoon. Hamill took to Instagram, calling the fire the “most horrific fire since ’93,” describing his evacuation from Malibu with fires on both sides of the road.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that over 1,400 firefighters have been deployed to battle the “unprecedented fires” across Los Angeles, with additional personnel sent from other parts of the state.
“Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives,” the governor said on X (formerly Twitter).
Public Information Coordinator for Pasadena, Jennifer Colby, confirmed that more than 5,000 residents had been evacuated from the city’s northeast and surrounding areas. “We are utilising all resources that we have,” she said, adding that 50 strike teams have been deployed statewide. Colby also mentioned property damage in Pasadena but emphasized that the full extent of the destruction remains unclear.
The Getty Villa Museum, famous for its Van Gogh and Monet collections, closed through January 13 as a precaution. A fire on the museum’s grounds was contained, and officials confirmed there was no damage to the building.
The wildfires have also disrupted Hollywood events, with premieres of Better Man, Unstoppable, and Wolf Man canceled. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards nominee announcement was also moved online “in an abundance of caution.”
Videos from affected areas depict homes engulfed in flames, elderly residents being evacuated from care facilities, and bulldozers clearing abandoned cars to make room for fire trucks.
David Acuna, a battalion chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), warned that high winds are preventing containment of the fires for now. “Our main concern is ensuring that all people get out of the area because life safety is the most important part,” Acuna said. He also noted that plans were in place to provide safe shelter for pets and livestock.
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