Wildfire burns homes in wealthy Los Angeles neighbourhood, Hollywood celebs among those who flee the blaze

Los Angeles fire chief Kristin Crowley has said that no injuries have been reported till now while over 30,000 people are under the evacuation order, and over 13,000 buildings and 10,000 houses remain under threat.

Heavy smoke from a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades rises over the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo)

Actor James Woods was among those who posted video of flames burning, on a hill near his home. “Standing in my driveway, getting ready to evacuate,” Woods said in the short clip on the social platform X.

Actor Steve Guttenberg, who lives in Pacific Palisades, urged people who abandoned their cars to leave their keys behind so they could be moved to make way for fire trucks. “This is not a parking lot,” Guttenberg told KTLA.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, in a press briefing, noted that some schools were being relocated due to the spread of wildfire. “We’re dedicating every resource we can to urgently contain this fire. I know today is terrifying and it is painful. Please know that you are not alone,” she said, as quoted by BBC.

The forecasters have warned that the worst part is yet to arrive as the windstorm is predicted to last for days, producing isolated windstorms that could reach 160 kmph in mountains and foothills.

🚨 RED FLAG WARNING – Southern California 🚨
⚠️ When: Wednesday to Thursday
⚠️ Where: Greater Los Angeles County, San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys, San Diego & Riverside Mountains, Eastern San Diego Valleys, Inland Orange County, Santa Ana Mountains, Inland Empire and San… pic.twitter.com/JJY68nnsBs

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) January 7, 2025

Acting Mayor and Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson announced that the American city has declared a state of emergency over the fire.

Dawson added that Los Angeles is “well prepared” to fight the wildfire being fanned by the gust but emergency declaration will aid in freeing up resources.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said that “There are not a few, but many structures already destroyed and the fire is still continuing. We’re anticipating other fires happening concurrently.”

Newsom acknowledges that embers from the fire could travel miles due to the heavy gust and ignite new fires far from where the current fire is taking place. He adds to follow the instructions of emergency responders when asked to evacuate.