January 7th 2025.
A frightening and destructive wildfire has erupted in the esteemed coastal community of Pacific Palisades, California. The blaze has rapidly spread, engulfing over 1,200 acres in just a matter of hours and forcing the evacuation of 20,000 residents. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported that the fire grew from a mere 300 acres to its current size in approximately an hour and a half on Tuesday afternoon.
The situation is made even more perilous by the powerful winds gusting up to 100mph, the strongest seen in Southern California in over a decade. These winds are expected to continue through Wednesday afternoon, further fueling the flames. The Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which is home to numerous celebrity mansions, has a population of around 24,000 people, all of whom are now at risk.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents living from Piedra Morada Drive to the Pacific Coast Highway, emphasizing the immediate danger to life. Fleeing residents faced severe traffic congestion on Sunset Boulevard, with some abandoning their vehicles to escape on foot. To allow for emergency responders to reach the affected area, a county bulldozer was used to clear the path by moving around 30 abandoned vehicles on Sunset Boulevard and Palisades Drive.
Firefighter David Ortiz warned against trying to stand in the way of the raging inferno, stating that this is the worst-case scenario for a fire fight. The fire, which is believed to have started on Tuesday morning, is spreading at a staggering rate of three football fields per minute. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
The impact of the fire is far-reaching, with smoke reaching as far as eight miles south to Venice Beach. The Federal Aviation Administration was forced to place Hollywood Burbank Airport on ground stop due to the powerful winds, and Southern California Edison has had to cut power to over 8,000 customers in Los Angeles, Riverside, and Ventura counties.
Amidst the chaos, actor James Woods shared a video from his home, stating that he was prepared to evacuate and that numerous planes were dropping water on the fire. CBS News national correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti also shared a video, showing the panic and devastation caused by the fire. He also warned that the worst of the winds was yet to come.
This devastating fire comes just weeks after the Franklin Fire ravaged parts of Malibu, including the iconic palm trees at Pepperdine University. As the battle against the Pacific Palisades fire continues, the community must come together to support and protect one another.
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