Pacific Palisades Wildfire Leaves Immense Destruction in Los Angeles

A wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood has destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures – many of which were residential homes.

There have reportedly been several injuries to civilians and firefighters while evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect, according to KTLA. The wildfires did not stop at Pacific Palisades as it has grown to engulf the Altadena and Pasadena areas. There have reportedly been two deaths with more “significant injuries,” 2,227 acres affected, and more than 32,500 residents under evacuation orders.

The Palisades Fire first broke news outlets around the morning of January 7 in the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive. By the morning of January 8, the fire had exploded to more than 5,000 acres with no containment. At a following news conference, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone revealed that there was a “high number of people who didn’t evacuate” who suffered serious injuries.

“Last night was one of the most devastating and terrifying nights that we’ve seen in any part of our city at any part of our history,” L.A. City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson said at the same conference, according to LAist.

Evacuations were ordered for entire communities from areas such as Palisades, Santa Monica, and Calabasas, according to CalFire. Thousands of homes and businesses were impacted while Santa Monica and Las Virgnes unified school districts canceled classes. Also, many schools in Los Angeles County closed down due to the fire. An evacuation shelter for people and pets is established at the Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 South Sepulveda Boulevard.

Meanwhile, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Pacific Palisades is located 10 miles from Malibu, where the Franklin Fire burned more than 4,000 acres and burned several homes after erupting during similar wind conditions in December 2024. Additional personnel among local firefighting forces have been requested from Northern California, Oregon, and Washington to drastically ensure safety within the rest of the communities affected by the fires.

“The winds were something like I have never seen before. Firefighters, police officers, deputies. They’re out there sheltering in their vehicles, their trucks, and their cars so that they don’t need up getting burned from the fire,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said.

Amid the destructive chaos caused by the wildfires, Hollywood stars have asked for “prayers and strength” to get through this time. Guardians of the Galaxy actor Chris Pratt was verbally compassionate about it in an Instagram post.

“Please send players and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires. Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate,” Pratt said.

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