Fast-moving wildfire causes chaotic evacuation as strong winds hit southern California [View all]
A fast-moving wildfire erupted near Los Angeles causing a frenzied and chaotic evacuation through winding roads overlooking the Pacific on Tuesday. Whipped by strong gusts, the fire quickly consumed hundreds of acres in the Pacific Palisades, an affluent community nestled to the north of Santa Monica.
Southern California is grappling with a “life-threatening” windstorm this week that has fanned the fire and complicated early containment efforts. The region is expected to see what could amount to the strongest winds in more than a decade, bringing extreme fire risk to areas that have been without significant rain for months.
Videos shared online from residents, including from the actor James Woods, show flames licking homes through the canyons, thrashing trees blowing in the winds and plumes of black smoke billowing into a cloudless sky. Gridlock through the narrow streets slowed rushed escapes from the burning hillsides as flaming abandoned cars hindered already limited routes for evacuations and first responders.
The blaze is threatening residences and areas near the Getty Villa, an art museum on the eastern end of the Malibu coast, according to officials, and the dangers could escalate before they improve. Within hours, more than 700 acres were impacted.
The Los Angeles school district was also forced to relocate students from three campuses, and Joe Biden had to cancel plans for an event announcing two national monuments.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/07/california-windstorm-fire-risk
Last month it was Malibu and Pepperdine University (where a friend's daughter is on the basketball team). Southern California just can't catch a break!
= new reply since forum marked as read