Rampaging wildfires around Los Angeles have claimed at least two lives and caused numerous serious injuries, as officials confront the devastating blazes that have erupted around the city.
Over 1,000 buildings have been destroyed in multiple fires, displacing tens of thousands of residents from their homes. Hurricane-force winds have propelled the flames, allowing fireballs to leap from house to house in the affluent Pacific Palisades area, consuming a significant portion of California’s prime real estate.
“We have well over 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) burned, and the fire is continuing to grow,” stated Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony Marrone. “At this time, we have no containment percentage, and around 1,000 structures have been destroyed. There are also a high number of serious injuries among those who did not evacuate.”
A second major fire is raging around Altadena, north of the city, with visuals showing flames engulfing entire streets. “Currently, over 2,000 acres are burning, with zero percent containment,” Marrone added. “More than 500 personnel are on the ground, but unfortunately, two civilian fatalities have been reported, and the cause remains unknown. We also have over 100 structures destroyed.”
Additional blazes in the region are stretching firefighting resources thin. Fierce winds are pushing flames and scattering red-hot embers, igniting new spot fires faster than firefighters can extinguish them.
As dawn broke, a thick pall of smoke blanketed Los Angeles, filling the air with the acrid scent of burning vegetation. Mayor Karen Bass warned that the “windstorm is expected to worsen throughout the morning” in a post on X.
Reports indicate that some firefighters are facing water shortages at hydrants in Pacific Palisades. Emmy-award-winning actor James Woods shared a video of flames engulfing trees near his home as he evacuated, expressing disbelief that his home had lasted so long amidst the chaos. “It feels like losing a loved one,” he remarked.
The first wildfire ignited on Tuesday morning, spreading rapidly and catching many residents off guard. Pacific Palisades resident Andrew Hires received a text alert about the fire just as his child was at the dentist for a tooth extraction. “We pulled off the mask and ran to the car,” he recounted.
Although trees and vegetation around the Getty Villa were scorched, the museum, known for its Greek and Roman antiquities, reported that the structure and its collections were unharmed.
The fires coincide with the seasonal Santa Ana winds, which forecasters warn could escalate into the worst windstorm in a decade, with gusts reaching up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour. Meteorologist Daniel Swain noted, “This looks pretty concerning.”
Wildfires are a natural part of life in the U.S. West and play an essential role in the ecosystem. However, scientists emphasize that climate change driven by human activity is altering weather patterns, exacerbating fire risks. Following two decades of drought, Southern California experienced two exceptionally wet years, leading to explosive vegetation growth that has left the region primed for burning.
