Wildfires Destroy Southern California: Pacific Palisades Fire Spreads to Over 2,900 Acres

A firefighting plane drops retardant on the Palisades fire in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Southern California faces danger as several wildfires driven by strong winds burn through the area. The Palisades fire, which started Tuesday morning in Pacific Palisades, has become a major problem growing to over 2,900 acres by nightfall.

Fast-Moving Flames Make People Leave and Close Roads

The fire pushed by "life-threatening and destructive" winds, has damaged many homes and forced thousands of people to leave. Officials still don't know what started the fire.

People Told to Listen to Evacuation Orders

Authorities have ordered people to evacuate areas north to Mulholland Drive, east to Kenter Avenue, and south to Pacific Coast Highway. They're telling residents to get out now and use the evacuation routes they've set up.


Strong Winds Could Spread Fire Further

Weather experts say powerful winds from the north will keep blowing around the fire zone until at least Wednesday. They expect gusts between 35 and 60 mph from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday. These intense winds make it likely the fire will grow.

Emergency Shelters Open

Evacuees can seek shelter at the Westwood Recreation Center (1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd.), which also accepts small pets. Also, an emergency evacuation shelter for large animals is open at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center (480 Riverside Drive, Burbank).

Road Closures in Effect

Several road closures are in place to help emergency response efforts and keep the public safe. These closures include:

  • Southbound Pacific Coast Highway at Topanga Canyon Boulevard

  • Southbound Pacific Coast Highway at Las Flores Canyon Road

  • Coastline Drive and southbound Pacific Coast Highway at Coastline Drive

School Closures Announced

The fire and dangerous weather have caused schools in Malibu (part of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District) to close on Wednesday. Schools in Santa Monica within the district will stay open for now, but this could change based on the situation. Officials will give a final update by 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Keep in mind that some areas in Santa Monica are under evacuation orders or warnings.

Santa Monica College has confirmed it will close its Malibu campus on Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Unified School District has announced closures or relocations for these schools affected by the fires:

  • Canyon Elementary School

  • Palisades Charter Elementary School

  • Kentor Canyon Elementary Charter

  • Marquez Charter Elementary School

  • Paul Revere Charter Middle School

Staying in Touch and Up-to-Date

These schools will give students online learning materials on Wednesday.

Topanga Elementary Charter School students will move to Woodland Hills Academy (20800 Burbank Blvd, Woodland Hills).

Schools affected will send updates straight to families.

To get the newest details about the fires and evacuation orders, people who live in the area should check the LAUSD website (lausd.org) or call the family hotline at (213) 443-1300.

You can find more school closings related to the Eaton fire in Altadena here.

This is an ongoing situation. Keep an eye out for new updates as they come in.