With record-breaking wind rates of 100 miles per hour predicted, fires in the Pasadena and Pacific Palisades regions continued to burn unrestrained. This presented a serious risk during the night.
Los Angeles is engulfed in fires that have spread to both sides of the city. In the west, the Pacific Palisades, a seaside neighborhood close to downtown, saw more than 2,900 acres destroyed by the Palisades fire. The fire spread quickly on January 7, doubling in size in three hours in the afternoon.
Another fire broke out in Eaton Canyon, which is tucked away in the San Gabriel Mountains above Altadena, to the east, while the Palisades fire continued to grow quickly to the west. By dark on January 7, it had spread over 1,000 acres, earning it the nickname Eaton fire.
Further evacuations were necessary as the Hurst fire spread to 100 acres in Sylmar, a suburb in the San Fernando Valley, to the north, endangering homes and communities.
Authorities have issued evacuation orders and advisories for many places as wildfires continue to threaten homes throughout Southern California.
To help individuals affected by the flames, an evacuation center has been established at the Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 South Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles.
The extent of the damage is still unknown as evacuation attempts continue. Although the precise number of damaged structures in Pacific Palisades was still unknown, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley said that multiple structures had been affected.
According to Pasadena spokesman Lisa Derderian, the Eaton fire has put at least 550 homes in jeopardy, while the Palisades fire is threatening approximately 10,000 homes and 13,000 structures.
Officials are still focused on fighting the rapidly increasing risks as the fires continue to expand unchecked. Similar to the Palisades and Hurst fires, the Eaton fire started in Altadena, just north of Pasadena, and has grown to 1,000 acres in just six hours.
In the early hours of January 8, containment operations are becoming even more difficult as fire crews, who started their work on January 7, deal with worsening conditions as strong winds intensify overnight.
A perfect mix of hazardous meteorological and environmental factors is to blame for the relentless flames. Strong winds—which in some mountainous regions can reach 50 to more than 100 miles per hour—combined with unusually dry air have engulfed southern California.
Two rainy winters have encouraged the growth of overgrown vegetation, but this season’s lack of rain has left it parched and extremely flammable. However, according to forecasters, this is “about as bad as it gets in terms of fire weather.”
The yearly Santa Ana winds, which bring strong, dry gusts from Nevada and Utah, exacerbate these harsh circumstances. These winds have historically contributed to some of the most destructive wildfires in California, such as the 2018 conflagration that devastated the town of Paradise.
Officials fear that the fires could get worse because of the ongoing harsh weather. According to forecasts, wind speeds will peak between late evening on January 7 and early morning on January 8, which might contribute to the rapid and erratic spread of the fire.
Those in the vicinity of the fires who have not yet left have been urged by authorities to stay on high alert and be ready to flee at any time. Additionally, Southern California residents are being warned to remain alert for fresh flames caused by the hazardous weather.
State leaders have taken immediate notice of the flames due to their ferocity. After visiting the affected areas, where embers, swirling winds, and extensive destruction left a lasting impression, Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his impressions.
He noted the alarming number of structures lost, emphasizing that “the fact that people were still not evacuated, still did not heed the warning, were just coming down the canyon, is a reminder of how serious this moment is and how important it is you listen to these evacuation orders.”
As the area continues to experience terrible fire conditions, Newsom’s urgent message is in line with local fire experts’ cautions. According to Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, the city is still on a red flag alert and the conditions are unprecedented.
“Currently, the fire is at 1,261 acres and growing based on aerial reconnaissance,” she said. For the troops fighting the flames, containment attempts are made more difficult by the combination of difficult terrain and strong winds, according to Crowley.
On January 7, firefighting planes were grounded due to heavy winds, which hampered efforts to contain the Palisades fire. Around 8 p.m., officials said that operations would restart when the situation eased. According to reports, they are coping with blowtorch circumstances.
According to the fire department, “extreme fire behavior” was still posing a challenge to personnel, and the fire was still entirely uncontained at 11 p.m. Containment attempts will be made more difficult by the predicted continuation of wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour through January 9.
“This event is not only not over, but it is just getting started and will get significantly worse before it gets better,” warned UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain during a briefing.
These worries were mirrored by the National Weather Service, which said that this windstorm might turn out to be the most damaging to hit the Los Angeles area since 2011.
Extreme weather, dry conditions, and erratic winds continue to endanger lives, homes, and communities as Southern California fights one of its most difficult wildfire disasters in recent memory.
Officials advise citizens to be alert, follow evacuation orders, and be ready for quickly changing situations as thousands are evacuated and firefighters toil diligently in dangerous conditions.
Navigating this catastrophic disaster will depend heavily on the cooperation and resiliency of everyone affected.
