Coastal homes were seen burning in Pacific Palisades as the fire continues to rag
A fast-moving wildfire erupted in the Southern California coastal city of Pacific Palisades, about 20 miles west of Los Angeles, destroying homes as Santa Ana winds ripped through the region Jan. 7.
The Palisades Fire burned an unknown number of homes in the city as thousands of residents were forced to flee.
The fire had grown to about 2 square miles (1,300 acres) by 3 p.m. and was continuing to spread throughout the residential area.
Many homes could be seen burning in the fire area, and there were reports of police and fire crews rescuing people from burning buildings, but no reports of injuries surfaced by the afternoon.
Traffic slowed nearly to a halt on the Pacific Coast Highway as residents attempted to evacuate. Some opted to exit their cars and start walking out of the area.
Los Angeles County officials closed the westbound lanes of the Santa Monica 10 Freeway at Lincoln Boulevard, a major artery in the region, just before 2 p.m.
Northbound Pacific Coast Highway was also closed to help officials evacuate residents from the growing blaze.
Flames also destroyed the Los Angeles Fire Department Station 23 on Sunset Boulevard and Los Liones Drive Tuesday afternoon.
Crews were responding to multiple reports of structures burning throughout the fire area.
Officials ordered evacuations in a section of Topanga State Park that reached to the Pacific Coast Highway, which covers most of Pacific Palisades, home to about 20,000 residents.
Parts of nearby Malibu were under evacuation warnings Tuesday.
The Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd. was open for evacuees and accepted small animals, allowing people to stay overnight.
Los Angeles County Fire Department first responded to a brush fire in Pacific Palisades at about 10:30 a.m. southeast of Palisades Drive that threatened nearby homes.
Homes were on fire in Pacific Palisades by about 11:30 a.m., according to local reports.
Actor James Woods posted a video on X saying he was standing in his driveway getting ready to evacuate at about 11:45 a.m. The video showed his neighbor’s home overcome by flames. Later posts show the flames nearing Woods’ home.
By Jill McLaughlin
