Palisades Fire News Update: A pair of fast-moving wildfires erupted on Tuesday in the Los Angeles area, causing widespread destruction and forcing thousands to evacuate. The first blaze, the Eaton Fire in Altadena, ignited near a nature preserve around 6:30 p.m. Its rapid spread prompted an urgent evacuation of a senior care facility, with staff pushing residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds to a nearby parking lot until ambulances could transport them to safety.

Earlier in the day, a separate wildfire tore through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood along the coast, destroying multiple homes and spreading uncontrollably into the night. The Los Angeles Fire Department issued an urgent call for off-duty firefighters to assist as fierce winds, exceeding 60 mph, fueled the flames and which led to some chaotic scenes of the residents there fleeing. The high winds grounded firefighting aircraft, significantly hindering efforts to contain the fires.

The Pacific Palisades fire tore through Los Angeles hillside, destroying homes in an area known for its celebrity residents, forcing widespread evacuations. As the fire raged, traffic snarled on local roads, prompting many to abandon their cars and flee on foot, some carrying suitcases as they scrambled to escape.

Significant damage reported

California Governor Gavin Newsom, in Southern California for the unveiling of a national monument by President Joe Biden, made an unexpected visit to the Pacific Palisades to witness the destruction caused by fierce winds and flying embers. He observed significant damage, noting that many structures had already been destroyed. While officials haven’t provided an exact count, they confirmed that approximately 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders, and over 13,000 buildings remained at risk.

The fire, which started around 10:30 a.m., was fueled by a Santa Ana windstorm which was deemed “life-threatening” by the National Weather Service. The storm, the strongest to hit the region in over a decade, was expected to intensify, with winds possibly exceeding 100 mph in mountain and foothill areas, including those that have been dry for months. The cause of the fire remains unclear, but no injuries have been reported. Meanwhile, the Eaton fire continues to burn about 25 miles northeast in Altadena.

Pacific Palisades Wildfire engulfs luxury homes, residents flee as flames rage

A photographer witnessed multi-million dollar mansions in Pacific Palisades engulfed by flames, as helicopters dropped water on the blazes. Evacuations caused road congestion, with people fleeing toward the Pacific Coast Highway, while others frantically sought rides back to their homes to rescue pets. Two of the homes affected were in exclusive gated communities.

Will Adams, a long-time resident, rushed to pick up his children from school when the fire approached, while his wife’s car was hit by embers during evacuation. Actor James Woods shared footage of the flames roaring through nearby yards, while actor Steve Guttenberg urged evacuees to leave car keys behind for fire truck access. President Biden has pledged federal support, coordinating with local authorities to address the devastation.

(With AP inputs)