Fire erupts in Hollywood Hills as deadly wildfires rage uncontrollably across the Los Angeles region

Winds calmed slightly on Wednesday, following a day of hurricane-force gusts that hurled embers through the air, igniting neighborhood after neighborhood. Hundreds of firefighters from other states have arrived to assist, but with four major fires still raging out of control, the danger remains severe.

Officials reported that more than half a dozen schools in the area were either damaged or destroyed, including Palisades Charter High School, known for its appearances in Hollywood productions like the 1976 horror film Carrie and the TV series Teen Wolf. Meanwhile, UCLA has canceled classes for the rest of the week.

Firefighters worked tirelessly on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, to combat the Palisades Fire as it tore through multiple structures in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated that aerial operations were underway to suppress the flames. However, she cautioned that the city was still contending with "erratic winds," though not as severe as those on Tuesday evening, when aircraft were grounded, and much of the devastation took place.

In Pasadena, Fire Chief Chad Augustin reported that between 200 and 500 structures were either damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire, which ignited Tuesday night.

The city’s water system was heavily strained and further disrupted by power outages. However, Chief Augustin emphasized that even without these challenges, firefighters would have struggled to contain the blaze due to the powerful winds driving it forward.

“Those erratic wind gusts were carrying embers miles ahead of the main fire,” he explained.

Meanwhile, on the Pacific Coast west of downtown Los Angeles, a massive fire devastated entire blocks in the Pacific Palisades. The blaze reduced grocery stores, banks, and homes to rubble in this upscale hillside neighborhood, known for its celebrity residents and immortalized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit “Surfin’ USA.”

The Palisades Fire has become the most destructive in Los Angeles history, claiming at least 1,000 structures.

The scale of devastation is staggering: entire neighborhoods of California Mission-style homes and bungalows have been reduced to ashes, leaving only stone fireplaces and blackened arched doorways standing. In one home, ornate iron railings wrapped around a smoldering frame, a haunting reminder of what once stood. For miles, the apocalyptic aftermath stretches, a grim testament to the fire’s ferocity.

Rapidly Advancing Flames Left Little Time to Escape

The fires spread so quickly that many residents barely managed to flee. Police officers sought refuge in their patrol cars, while seniors from a living facility were wheeled to safety in wheelchairs and hospital beds.

In Pacific Palisades, desperate residents abandoned their vehicles on jammed roadways and escaped on foot, as flames overtook the area.

Longer Fire Seasons Driven by Climate Change

California's wildfire season has lengthened, starting earlier and ending later, due to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall linked to climate change. Delayed rains, which traditionally mark the end of fire season, now allow fires to persist through winter months, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association.

Dry conditions, exacerbated by the Santa Ana winds, have created warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, which has received less than 0.1 inches (2.5 millimeters) of rain since May. Wind speeds reached 80 mph (129 kph) on Wednesday, with forecasts predicting gusts of 35-55 mph (56-88 kph) and potentially higher in mountainous regions. These fire-favorable conditions are expected to persist through Friday.

Damaged Landmarks and Disrupted Lives

President Joe Biden issued a federal emergency declaration after meeting with Governor Gavin Newsom at a Santa Monica fire station. The governor deployed National Guard troops to assist in firefighting efforts.

Several Hollywood studios halted production, and Universal Studios closed its theme park as the fires spread from Pasadena to Pacific Palisades.

By Wednesday evening, over 456,000 Southern California residents were without power, according to PowerOutage.us.

Among the landmarks damaged was the Reel Inn, a popular seafood restaurant in Malibu. Despite the destruction, owner Teddy Leonard expressed hope for the future.

“In the grand scheme of things, as long as your family is safe and everyone’s alive, you’re still winning, right?” she said.