Relentless Santa Ana Winds to Continue Raging Through Southland
Red flag warnings of critical fire danger will linger across much of the Southland for the rest of the work week, as Santa Ana winds slowly diminish but continue to blast the region at above-normal velocity and fuel fires that have burned thousands of acres, destroyed hundreds of structures and led to five deaths.
National Weather Service forecasters said that after an early "minor uptick" Thursday, the winds are expected to back down slightly during the day on Thursday, and "most areas should remain under advisory levels until Thursday evening when the next offshore push begins."
"But without the mountain wave activity this will be much more like a traditional (though still moderate to strong) event with gusts to 60 or locally higher across the mountains and up to 50 in the favored valleys," according to the NWS.
Forecasters said "winds will peak Thursday evening into early Friday morning, however, will not be as expansive nor as strong as this previous event. Humidity levels of 10 and 20 percent are expected, potentially lowering into single digits in some areas into Friday."
Red flag warnings that had been scheduled to expire Thursday night were instead extended through 6 p.m. Friday in the Santa Clarita Valley, Malibu Coast, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, San Gabriel Valley and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors.
Update: Water Warning
The State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water, along with the Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 29, advises customers in designated areas to use only boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking as a safety precaution. This is due to recent low water pressure caused by the Palisades Fire, according to Malibu city officials. The affected areas include the Sunset Mesa community from Topanga Beach and Coastline Drive on the south to Shoreheights Drive on the north, and from Topanga Canyon Road to Carbon Canyon Road in Malibu, which includes the Big Rock and Carbon Mesa communities.
New Fire Alert: Yet another brush fire erupted Wednesday in fire-weary Los Angeles, this time advancing rapidly in the Hollywood Hills near the popular Runyon Canyon area, prompting mandatory evacuation orders as the flames threatened homes.
The Sunset Fire erupted around 5:30 p.m. in an area near Solar and Astral drives, and crews on the scene reported the blaze was moving quickly uphill and rapidly threatening homes, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The blaze was estimated initially at 10 acres, but it grew rapidly and doubled to at least 20 acres in about an hour, according to Cal Fire.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for a sprawling area between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and the Hollywood (101) Freeway, from Mulholland Drive on the north to Hollywood Boulevard on the south.
Multiple water-dropping aircraft were being used in hopes of slowing the fire's advance.
There was no immediate word on how the fire started.
LAFD crews ordered several road closures in the area, including a shutdown of popular Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea Avenue and Crescent Heights Boulevard.
The Beverly Hills Fire Department is monitoring the Sunset Fire in the Runyon Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills, according to city officials. There is an evacuation warning for areas north of Sunset Boulevard and east of Coldwater Canyon Drive.
Wildfire Devastation: How to Help
As major wildfires raged unchecked and destroyed hundreds of structures in the Southland, driven by the worst Santa Ana winds to hit the region in more than a decade, organizations and residents stepped up to the plate Wednesday to help those affected.
The winds were fueling multiple brush fires in the L.A. area, the largest being a nearly 16,000-acre blaze in Pacific Palisades. Another massive brush fire in the Eaton Canyon area above Altadena claimed five lives, while other blazes raged in Sylmar and Acton.
Hundreds of structures were damaged or destroyed in the blazes, with more than 1,000 buildings believed to have been lost in the Palisades Fire alone.
National Weather Service forecasters said the windstorm was the worst to hit the region since 2011.
Here is a list of places to help:
-- Screen Actors Guild: To support impacted members of the SAG community, donations can be made to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, which operates a natural disaster relief fund.
-- GoFundMe: Wildfire relief sites include hundreds of residents who lost their homes to the fires and hope to rebuild
-- The Red Cross-Wildfire Relief: Financial donations to the Red Cross help people affected by disasters.
-- The Salvation Army-Donating Goods: Basic items are always a necessity for disaster survivors. Wildfire survivors most often need masks, bandanas, work gloves, and other protective clothing, bottled water and other packaged drinks, boxes, barrels, and heavy-duty plastic bags, and cleaning items such as rags, mops, brooms, and scrub brushes, among other things.
-- Direct Relief-Helping People Affected by California Wildfires: Direct Relief provides N-95 masks, medicine, and other resources to health care agencies and first responders in wildfire-affected communities.
-- Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation-Make a Donation: help firefighters and paramedics fighting wildfires across Los Angeles
Update: Expanded evacuation orders in Santa Monica
The city of Santa Monica has expanded a mandatory evacuation order to include all areas north of Montana Avenue from the beach to 11th Street due to the Palisades Fire. The order adds to the previously announced mandatory evacuations for areas north of San Vicente Boulevard from Ocean Boulevard to 26th Street. An evacuation warning is in place for all other areas north of Montana Avenue, and for all areas north of Wilshire Boulevard and west of 10th Street.
New Fire: Brush Fire Scorches 50 Acres in Acton Area
A vegetation fire quickly scorched about 50 acres of terrain Wednesday in the Acton area, threatening structures and halting Metrolink service in the area.
The Lidia Fire erupted early Wednesday afternoon in the area of Soledad Canyon Road and Bootleggers Canyon. Fire crews from Los Angeles County and the U.S. Forest Service both responded to the scene and quickly set up structure-protection units.
Metrolink suspended service on its Antelope Valley line between Vista Canyon and Lancaster due to the fire.
The cause of the fire was unknown, but it broke out amid continuing Santa Ana wind conditions that were fueling major brush fires across the region.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Update: The size of the Palisades Fire is now estimated at 15,832 acres, according to Cal Fire.
Update: Palisades Fire Burns 11,802 Acres
Driven by unrelenting winds, a massive brush fire engulfed over 11,800 acres through the Pacific Palisades area, destroying or damaging more than 1,000 structures and forcing thousands of people from their homes as it moved toward Malibu on the west and Santa Monica on the southeast with no reported containment Wednesday.
By 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, the fire was mapped at 11,802 acres, with 0% containment according to Cal Fire.
Air tankers and water-dropping helicopters made drops throughout daylight hours, and firefighters from across the region rushed to the scene Tuesday. With the fire raging out of control Tuesday night, the LAFD issued a plea for all of its off-duty firefighters to check in to determine if they could be deployed the fire line.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued Tuesday afternoon across a wide area generally stretching from Merrimac Road on the northeast, west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to Pacific Coast Highway. The orders essentially cover the bulk of Pacific Palisades.
LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley told reporters Tuesday afternoon that roughly 30,000 people were under evacuation orders, with the fire endangering roughly 13,200 structures, including 10,300 homes. That evacuation area was dramatically expanded Tuesday night, stretching east to Kenter Avenue and north to Mulholland Road, still reaching west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to PCH. It was unknown how many additional people were impacted by the expanded evacuation zone.
In a media briefing at 8 a.m. Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said there were a "high number of significant injuries to residents who did not evacuate, in addition to first responders who were on the fire lines," he said.
The Los Angeles Police Department went on a citywide tactical alert in response to the fire and dangerous wind conditions. The alert allowed the department to keep officers on duty beyond their normal shifts to respond to emergencies.
Update: Door Dash Suspends Service
Due to the region's wildfires, DoorDash service has been suspended in areas affected by the blazes. According to the company, service is suspended in areas surrounding Pacific Palisades, such as Santa Monica, Westwood, Brentwood and Calabasas, as well as in Pasadena, San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Northridge.
"What is unfolding in Los Angeles is devastating. Our thoughts are with those affected and we are incredibly grateful for the heroic efforts of firefighters and first responders," Julian Crowley of DoorDash says in a statement. "We deeply appreciate the patience and understanding of Dashers, merchants and consumers, and will resume operations as soon as it's safe to do so."
Update: Fire in Sylmar Burns 700 Acres Amid Windstorm
A wind-driven fire in the Sylmar area rapidly expanded to 700 acres Wednesday with no reported containment.
The Hurst Fire -- one of four major fires burning in the Southland amid fierce Santa Ana winds -- was reported around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 5900 block of Yarnell Street, and within a half-hour it had burned more than 100 acres, Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said.
It rapidly grew in size to 700 acres by 11 a.m. Wednesday, with 0% containment.
Evacuations were ordered for the area north of the Foothill (210) Freeway from Roxford Street to the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) Freeway split, according to the LAFD.
Evacuation warnings were also in effect for areas of Santa Clarita, along Calgrove Boulevard and the Newhall Pass, Wildwood and Eternal Valley, according to Cal Fire.
The 210 Freeway was temporarily closed between Roxford and the 5 Freeway, but eastbound lanes and mainline westbound lanes were reopened Wednesday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The connector to the southbound Golden State Freeway was closed, along with a stretch of the 14 Freeway and the Roxford Street off-ramp of the northbound Golden State Freeway.
Evacuation centers were set up in Pacoima, Northridge and Panorama City. They are at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd. in Pacoima; Northridge Park, 10120 Reseda Blvd. in Northridge; and Sepulveda Recreation Center, 8825 Kester Ave. in Panorama City.
For the evacuation of large animals, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center at 480 Riverside Drive in Burbank is available, according to the LAPD.
The governor's office estimated that more than 44,000 people in the area were under evacuation orders, with 40,000 structures threatened.
Update: Eaton Canyon Fire Destroys Buildings, Forces Evacuations
A fast-moving brush fire in the Eaton Canyon area exploded in size overnight, topping 10,000 acres Wednesday while claiming two lives and destroying more than 100 structures while prompting school closures throughout the area.
The fire was reported at about 6:20 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the hills above Altadena, according to Cal Fire.
Initially dubbed the Close Fire but later changed to the Eaton Fire, the blaze quickly exploded, driven by the same Santa Ana winds that sparked a devastating wildfire in Pacific Palisades and another in the Sylmar area.
As of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Cal Fire reported the fire had grown to 10,600 acres and was 0% contained.
The fire expanded rapidly during the night and early morning hours -- the strongest hours of a windstorm that began Tuesday morning and was set to continue into Thursday. The erratic winds grounded aerial firefighting assets, and ground crews were unable to keep pace with the flames' advance overnight.
Firefighting aircraft were able to resume flights Wednesday morning.
Residents of La Canada Flintridge were ordered to evacuate by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Palisades Fire
- Location: Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles
- Size: Approximately 11,802 acres
- Impact: Over 30,000 residents evacuated; numerous buildings destroyed; areas between Santa Monica and Malibu affected.
- Response: State of emergency declared; firefighting efforts include aircraft deploying water; strong winds are complicating containment efforts.
- Additional Information: The fire has led to road closures and power outages affecting over 220,000 homes and businesses.
Eaton Fire
- Location: Altadena, near Pasadena
- Size: Expanded to 10,600 acres
- Impact: Evacuations in place; nearly 100 residents from a Pasadena nursing home evacuated.
- Response: Firefighting efforts are ongoing; strong winds are exacerbating the situation.
- Additional Information: The fire has led to school closures in the Pasadena Unified School District.
Hurst Fire
- Location: Sylmar, San Fernando Valley
- Size: Grown to 505 acres
- Impact: Evacuations ordered for areas north of the 210 Freeway; no injuries reported.
- Response: Over 100 firefighters on scene; ground resources deployed; containment efforts are ongoing.
- Additional Information: The fire is threatening residential areas, and evacuation centers have been established.
Structures Under Threat
- Palisades Fire:
- Getty Villa Museum: The grounds of this cultural landmark caught fire; however, preventive measures, such as brush clearance, have so far protected the main structures.
- Reel Inn: This 36-year-old seafood restaurant was confirmed destroyed by the wildfire.
- Palisades Charter High School: The fire engulfed the school after reaching the site around 4 PM PST. Fortunately, no one was present due to winter break.
- Palisades Charter Elementary School: The wildfire also spread to this educational institution.
- Beachfront Properties in Malibu: Several homes along the coast were destroyed as the fire spread northward.
- Eaton Fire:
- AltaMed Medical Center: This healthcare facility in Hastings Ranch was reported to be engulfed in flames.
- The Terraces at Park Marino: Nearly 100 residents from this Pasadena nursing home were evacuated due to the approaching fire.
- Hurst Fire:
- Oakridge Manufactured Home Park: Residents in this area were under mandatory evacuation orders as the fire threatened the community.
Current Power Outages
- Los Angeles and Ventura Counties: Approximately 200,000 customers are without power, with outages reported in Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, and Burbank.
- Southern California Edison (SCE): SCE has implemented preventive power shutoffs to reduce wildfire risks, affecting thousands of customers across the region.
- Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP): Approximately 28,300 customers are experiencing outages due to the severe windstorm.
Resources for Affected Residents
- Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP):
- Residents can check the latest updates on outages and restoration efforts on the LADWP Outage InformationPage.
- LADWP also provides tips for managing power disruptions and contact information for support.
- Southern California Edison (SCE):
- Customers can check outage status and receive updates through SCE's Outage Center.
Safety Tips
- Stay Informed: Regularly check for updates from local authorities and utility providers.
- Emergency Preparedness: Ensure you have an emergency kit with essentials such as flashlights, batteries, water, and non-perishable food.
- Health Precautions: Be aware of the potential health impacts of power outages, especially for individuals relying on electrically powered medical equipment.
- Fire Safety: Given the increased fire risk during wind events, avoid using open flames or devices that could spark.