(The Center Square) – Los Angeles continues to be surrounded by fire as more than 6,000 firefighters from California and nearby states work to suppress the flames. The two biggest fires continue to be the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire. Both fires broke out on Tuesday amid the major Santa Ana winds rising to 100 mph and as of Friday evening, they are both active and minimally contained.
Tens of thousands of people from Los Angeles and surrounding areas have had to evacuate with many of their homes burning to the ground. The Palisades Fire has spread to 21,317 acres with 8% containment, demolishing thousands of homes and buildings. The Eaton Fire which started in Eaton Canyon and has consumed most of Pasadena has spread to 13,956.3 acres with 3% containment, burning farther into the Los Angeles National Forest.
Other major fires in the state include the Kenneth Fire near West Hills which is at 1,000 acres and 35% containment, the Hurst Fire near Sylmar at 771 acres with 70% containment and the Lidida Fire in Acton at 395 acres at 75% containment. Smaller fires have cropped in Granada Hills and Tujunga.
Los Angeles remains under an air quality advisory due to the high levels of smoke in the area and much of Southern California is under a red flag advisory. Additionally, Gov. Gavin Newsom initiated a state of emergency order.
As the wind speed lowered during Thursday and Friday, helicopters were able to drop water and fire retardant over flames, containing multiple fires across the state.
While resources are limited and it is difficult for firefighters and law enforcement to record casualties and building damage, as of Friday, it was reported that there have been 10 fatalities resulting from the fires and at least 5,000 homes and businesses completely demolished.
These fires sparked due to the “perfect storm” of weather conditions in Southern California, according to the National Weather Service.
“The preconditions for a January fire in Southern California couldn’t be much worse. After two years of generous moisture (especially in 2022-23), the state’s 2024-25 wet season has gotten off to an intensely bifurcated start: unusually wet in NoCal and near-record dry in SoCal,” wrote meteorologist Bob Henson in Yale Climate Connections. “On top of the unusually dry conditions for early January, we’re now in the heart of the Santa Ana wind season. These notorious and dangerous downslope winds, which occur when higher-level winds are forced over the coastal mountains and toward the coast, typically plague coastal Southern California a few times each year.”
Additionally, Newsom deployed the National Guard to prevent the looting of homes evacuated because of the fires and to evacuate people who do not live in the area impeding on the firefighters.
“Thanks to the incredible work of our first responders and emergency personnel, we’re throwing everything at our disposal – including our National Guard servicemembers – to protect communities in the days to come,” reads a statement from Newsom. “And to those who would seek to take advantage of evacuated communities, let me be clear: looting will not be tolerated.”
The following evacuation centers are open for those fleeing the Pacific Palisades Fire:
– Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd. (accepts small animals)
– Pasadena Convention Center: 300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
– El Camino Real Charter High School: 5440 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91367
– Pierce College: 6201 Winnetka Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91371 (accepts large animals)
– Los Angeles Equestrian Center: 480 Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91506 (accepts large animals)
– Agoura Animal Shelter: 29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (accepts small animals)
The following evacuation centers are open for those fleeing the Eaton Fire:
– Pasadena Convention Center: 300 E. Green St., Pasadena
– Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles
– El Camino Real Charter High School: 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
– Los Angeles Equestrian Center: 480 W Riverside Dr., Burbank (accepts large animals)
– Pierce College Equestrian Center: 7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills (accepts large animals)
– Agoura Animal Care Center: 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills (accepts small animals)
Those living near the fires can check lafd.org/redflag for Red Flag warning updates and sign up for emergency alerts in their area at notifyla.org.
