Wildfires have torn through Los Angeles suburbs, forcing over 30,000 residents to evacuate as raging flames and fierce winds devastated homes and communities.
The fires, driven by wind gusts reaching up to 100 mph (160 km/h), spread rapidly across areas such as Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and Sylmar, prompting emergency evacuations and widespread disruption.
Eyewitnesses described apocalyptic scenes as residents abandoned their vehicles to escape the encroaching flames.
A local resident, Marsha Horowitz recounted how firefighters urged people to leave their cars behind, “The fire was right up against the cars,” she said.
The Pacific Palisades fire has already engulfed over 3,000 acres, forcing celebrities and residents alike to flee.
Actor Eugene Levy, a resident of the upscale neighborhood, shared his experience with the Los Angeles Times, “The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldn’t see any flames, but the smoke was very dark.”
Meanwhile, Police Academy actor Steve Guttenberg stayed behind to assist firefighters by moving cars to make way for emergency vehicles. “What’s happening is people take their keys with them as if they’re in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars,” he told local media.
Other celebrities, including Mark Hamill, Kawhi Leonard, and Reese Witherspoon, were among those affected.
On Instagram, Hamill called the blaze the “Most horrific fire since ’93,” describing a last-minute evacuation from Malibu with fires on both sides of the road.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that over 1,400 firefighters have been deployed to combat the “unprecedented fires” across Los Angeles.
Hundreds of additional personnel are being sent from other parts of the state.
“Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives,” the governor said on X (formerly Twitter).
Public Information Coordinator for Pasadena, Jennifer Colby, confirmed that more than 5,000 residents have been evacuated from the city’s northeast and surrounding areas.
“We are utilising all resources that we have,” she said, adding that 50 strike teams have been dispatched statewide. Colby also reported property damage in Pasadena but noted that the full extent of the destruction is still unknown.
The Getty Villa Museum, known for its collection of artworks by Van Gogh and Monet, announced its closure through January 13 as a precautionary measure. A fire on the museum’s grounds was contained, and no damage to the building was reported, according to fire officials.
The wildfires have also disrupted Hollywood events as premieres of ‘Better Man’, ‘Unstoppable’, and ‘Wolf Man’ were also canceled.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards nominee announcement ceremony was also moved online “in an abundance of caution.”
Videos from affected areas show homes engulfed in flames, senior citizens being evacuated from care facilities, and bulldozers clearing abandoned cars to make way for fire trucks.
A battalion chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL), David Acuna, warned that high winds make it impossible to contain the fires for now.
“Our main concern is ensuring that all people get out of the area because life safety is the most important part,” Acuna said.
He added that plans were also made to provide safe shelter for pets and livestock.
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