Pacific Palisades wildfire, 3 others burning in and near Los Angeles

The Pacific Palisades wildfire and three others burning in and around Los Angeles, driven by powerful winds, have expanded, forcing residents to evacuate, destroying homes and other buildings and clogging roads in the region.

The Palisades fire, which started as a brush fire on Tuesday has expanded, growing to almost 3,000 acres with zero containment, according to Cal Fire.

It started at around 10:30 a.m. local time Tuesday, expanding to a minimum of 2,900 acres, forcing evacuation orders.

“Extreme fire behavior, including short and long-range spotting, continues to challenge firefighting efforts for the Palisades Fire,” Cal Fire said. “Winds gusts up to 60 MPH are expected to continue through Thursday, potentially aiding in further fire activity and suppression efforts.”

The second fire, the Eaton Fire, also started on Tuesday near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in Pasadena, causing evacuation orders. Cal Fire said all schools within the Pasadena Unified School District will be closed on Wednesday.

Firefighters are working to contain the fire, which has spread with high winds. The potential for spot fires has grown with dry fuels, shifting winds and low humidity.

Hurst Fire, the third fire, started burning Tuesday night, spreading rapidly with high winds and burning at least 500 acres.

A fourth one, the Tyler Fire, began Wednesday morning in Coachella, Riverside County.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has declared a state of emergency.

“This is a highly dangerous windstorm that’s creating extreme fire risk – and we’re not out of the woods. We’re already seeing the destructive impacts with this fire in Pacific Palisades that grew rapidly in a matter of minutes,” Newsom said in a statement on Tuesday.

The causes of all four wildfires are under investigation, according to authorities.

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned Wednesday about “extreme fire conditions” lasting through Thursday with wind gusts going between 50 and 80 mph, causing power outages and downing trees.

Vice President Harris, who grew up in California, said she was briefed on the wildfires and that federal resources were mobilized to assist in fighting them.

“My heart goes out to all those being impacted by the devastating wildfires in Southern California. Doug and I are praying for our fellow Californians who have evacuated, and we are thinking of the families whose homes, businesses, and schools remain in harm’s way,” Harris said in a Wednesday morning statement.

Updated at 8:16 a.m. EST

Topics

Images show Palisades Fire, other blazes ravaging Los Angeles area

Striking images from Los Angeles County show the early extent of damage caused by the Palisades Fire and other wildfires.
CBS News - 11h
Los Angeles fire official on multiple wildfires burning

Capt. Sheila Kelliher of the Los Angeles County Fire Department joins "CBS Mornings" to talk about the latest in battling multiple wildfires in the area.
CBS News - 12h
Flames spread in California community as wildfires continue to burn around Los Angeles

KCAL News' Joy Benedict reports on the devastating wildfires raging in the California community of Altadena.
CBS News - 14h
Destruction in Malibu Village as Los Angeles wildfires continue to burn

KCAL News' Rick Montanez reports from Malibu Village as wildfires rage around the Los Angeles area in Southern California.
CBS News - 15h
What to know as multiple wildfires burn near Los Angeles

Crews are battling multiple wildfires threatening heavy populated areas of Southern California around Los Angeles. CBS News correspondent Danya Bacchus reports.
CBS News - 16h
Pacific Palisades fire, other blazes burn in California as residents flee

A massive wildfire burning in Los Angeles has forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate. Other wind-driven blazes were spreading in the region.
CBS News - 16h
Multiple wildfires burn around Los Angeles, devastating communities

Multiple wildfires are burning around Los Angeles, including the Palisades Fire, which has destroyed homes and businesses and forced tens of thousands to evacuate. It's one of three volatile fires ...
CBS News - 17h
Thousands ordered to evacuate as wildfires burn around Los Angeles

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has warned more than 10,000 homes are at risk as strong winds fuel devastating wildfires in Southern California. CBS News correspondents Danya Bacchus and ...
CBS News - 18h
Los Angeles fires latest: 30,000 evacuate as Pacific Palisades fire spreads

The City of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency over the massive fire, which spanned nearly 3,000 acres as of Tuesday evening.
ABC News - 1d