State of emergency in Los Angeles: fire devours more than 5,000 acres, forces massive evacuations

Three fires in different areas of Los Angeles caused tens of thousands of mandatory evacuations and freeway closures. The first and most powerful, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, led to the declaration of a state of emergency due to the fierce blaze.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), more than 13,000 buildings and about 30,000 people are in the evacuation zone, which is under immediate threat, because of the so-called Palisades Fire. Several videos posted on social media show several houses being consumed by the fire.

The fire started at 10:30 in the morning. By 3:30 p.m. local time, about 1,300 acres had already burned as firefighters tried to repel the flames in the face of a voracious wind that is fanning them. By 01:25 the next day, the flames had grown to cover 2,921 acres.

According to the National Weather Service, wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph were recorded throughout the day in Los Angeles. Gusts were expected to peak between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday.

For now, authorities have confirmed no injuries or deaths.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the Democratic leader was near the fire and was being briefed by authorities before Tuesday's news conference.

"On the ground in Pacific Palisades and getting briefed by @CAL_FIRE on the #PalisadesFire in Los Angeles," Newsom said on X. "Californians in the affected areas should stay alert and follow evacuation orders from local authorities."

"Heed evacuation orders from local authorities," he added. He also assured, in a later post, that more than 1,400 firefighters had been deployed to fight "these unprecedented fires."

Vice President Kamala Harris assured that the White House had mobilized federal resources to assist local authorities. She also stated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had approved grants to reimburse the state for the costs.

The LAFD also issued mandatory evacuation orders from Merrimac Road west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to Pacific Coast Highway. In addition, Topanga Canyon Beach and Tuna Canyon Park in Los Angeles County are also under evacuation orders.

Also, the stretch between Carbon Beach in Malibu and Las Flores Canyon Road to Piuma Road is under evacuation alert as firefighters warn residents in surrounding areas to be prepared to evacuate quickly. The evolution of live orders can be consulted on the Cal Fire website.

Officials also set up the Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 S. Sepulveda Boulevard.

"Multiple burn victims"

Officials confirmed the first injuries around 5 a.m. Fire Capt. Erik Scott reported that one of the victims was a young female firefighter who sustained severe head trauma on Tuesday afternoon. She was promptly treated at the scene and then transported to a nearby hospital.

Around 9:00 PM that same day, "multiple burn victims were reported walking toward a nearby restaurant," Scott also reported. "Incident operations redirected medical resources to the location to provide evaluation and treatment."

Mansions under fire and celebrities forced to evacuate

The coastal community Pacific Palisades, in the Santa Monica Mountains, is a favorite of celebrities like Ben Affleck, Miles Teller and Tom Hanks. One of the latter's sons, Chet Hanks, wrote on Instagram, "The neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground."

Flames engulfed the home of reality TV star Spencer Pratt and his wife, Heidi Montag. They confirmed as much in a series of videos. Actor Eugene Levy told the Los Angeles Times that he had been trapped while trying to flee: "I couldn’t see any flames but the smoke was very dark."

Actor James Woods shared a series of X-rated images of the fire in the vicinity of his home, which, he recounted, he had finished building only a month ago.

The Once Upon a Time in America performer also claimed, in response to a comment on the social network, that "one of the major insurances companies" had canceled "all" of the neighborhood's policies months before the fire.

Actress Denise Crosby also claimed that her home ("my beautiful Spanish house," which "has survived 100 years") was at risk. "I’m in the thick of it!" she maintained in a post. "Safe with my husband and dog, but not sure if I have a house."

In addition to the million-dollar celebrity mansions, the area is known for housing the Getty Villa, an art museum built as a Roman villa. The Getty assured that, although some vegetation had been burned, the staff and structures were safe. The museum will remain closed for the day.