Wildfires erupted across Los Angeles on Tuesday, with two significant blazes causing widespread destruction and evacuations. One fire swept through Pacific Palisades, burning homes and forcing thousands to flee, while another spread rapidly near Altadena's Eaton Canyon, covering more than 200 acres by evening.

Pacific Palisades Fire

The Pacific Palisades fire scorched approximately 4.6 square miles (11.6 square kilometers) of land, sending towering plumes of smoke visible across Los Angeles. Residents as far as Venice Beach, located six miles (10 kilometers) away, reported seeing flames. Evacuation orders were issued, and major roads, including sections of Interstate 10 and the Pacific Coast Highway, were closed to non-essential traffic.


Some residents found themselves stranded as roads became impassable. Kelsey Trainor, a Pacific Palisades resident, described being trapped as ash fell and fires burned on both sides of the road.

The wildfire also disrupted city life, with film studios canceling movie premieres and schools in the Pacific Palisades area temporarily relocating students.

Altadena's Eaton Canyon Fire

Meanwhile, another fire broke out in Altadena around 6:30 p.m. near the Eaton Canyon Natural Area. The blaze quickly grew to an estimated 400 acres (162 hectares), prompting mandatory evacuations for several neighborhoods, including areas along E/Altadena Dr, Kinneloa Cyn Rd, Outpost Lane, and Glen Springs.


Smoke and an orange glow blanketed the San Gabriel Valley, reported NBC Los Angeles. The fire's proximity to popular hiking and equestrian trails heightened concerns for the safety of residents and visitors.

Possible Causes of the Fires

While the exact causes of the fires remain unknown, early reports suggest that extreme winds played a significant role. In Pacific Palisades, the fire ignited around 10:30 a.m., shortly after the onset of a Santa Ana windstorm.

Southern California has been experiencing dry and windy conditions, with little rainfall since early May. The notorious Santa Ana winds, combined with above-average temperatures, have created a tinderbox environment for wildfires.

The National Weather Service warned that winds could intensify overnight, with isolated gusts reaching up to 100 mph (160 kph) in mountainous and foothill areas. These conditions pose a continued threat to firefighting efforts and may lead to further fire spread.

Authorities are investigating the causes of both fires while continuing to battle the flames and protect affected communities.