Deadly LA wildfires explained: How high winds have fueled a dangerously fast and 'rare' January fire

Fierce wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, sending residents fleeing from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke. Thousands of firefighters were battling at least three separate blazes, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said two people were killed and many others hurt in the fires, which have destroyed more than 1,000 structures.

Officials have said about 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders. And more than 13,000 structures are under threat.

The evacuation orders affect areas including the Pacific Palisades neighborhood near the sea, areas north of Pasadena and part of the San Fernando Valley.

Other areas are under evacuation warnings that say people who need additional time to evacuate should get moving.
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A spokesman for Vice President Kamala Harris says her neighborhood in Los Angeles was put under an evacuation order Tuesday night.

Ernesto Apreza said in a Wednesday post on the social platform X that no one was in the house at the time.

The smoke is thick and gray, and the headlights of vehicles in badly hit areas are glowing well after sunrise. There is the crackling of the flames and the rustling of palm trees in the strong wind, and the exclamations of emergency responders.

One firefighter stands on top of a truck and watches a home burn. There is a bin for recycling sitting outside the blazing home, abandoned.

Litter blows by. Every stray piece could become another flame.

Southern California Edison shut off power to nearly 120,000 customers in six Southern California counties over safety concerns due to high winds and the risk of wildfires.

Another 440,000 customers could face similar shutoffs depending on weather conditions, the utility said Wednesday on its website.

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin said much of the city of Pasadena is under evacuation orders as his department waits for winds to die down so he can get aircraft up to start dousing the flames from overhead.

Fire departments from across California were sending in firefighters as crews in the Los Angeles area were stretched to their limit, he said.

He said there had been no loss of life and thanked public safety officers for "pulling people out from burning buildings" overnight.

Pasadena, where the Eaton fire is burning, and neighboring Glendale canceled classes Wednesday.

Los Angeles Unified School District also closed several elementary schools in the evacuation area of the fire burning in Pacific Palisades.

Palisades Charter High School, which burned in the fire, was not back in session yet.

The fire rapidly grew to more than 3.13 square miles (8.11 square kilometers) overnight amid dangerous fire weather conditions caused by strong winds and low levels of relative humidity.

More than 180,000 customers were without power in southern California, with the vast majority of them in Los Angeles County.

[lydiapicano]

I feel so badly for the people of California. The incompetence with their state government is insane. For many moving is not an option.

[bandzprod]

I pray so that the animals get out of it safe. All prayers go to animals my heart is 💔

[V-uc]

Firefighters are such heroes!!! God bless those involved.

[ragingrevenge]

Will the last insurance company to leave California please turn out the lights

[jaskilla]

let see if they get $700 like in maui...

[jacekalbert]

when you stop doing those cardboard overpriced houses ?

[TyeNee]

I remember reading from an expert somewhere last year that a massive fire like this was not a matter of "if", but "when". They said it was inevitable.

[Islandgirl]

Ummmm… We understand just fine how wind expands a fire, what you don’t say is what started the fire that the wind is stirring?

[betomaelo]

Thanks Karen Bass for making sure the water hydrants were NOT filled up

[gt]

Did she really ask why California is more prone to wildfires than WA state?

[mikereloader]

Good luck to the people that live there. I love visiting Cali, been there many times but I’d never live there. My friends out there have a house that’s almost as big as mine but it cost them 9x more, their whole lawn is smaller than my front lawn. Crazy high prices for everything and of course the natural risks that come with living there. Best of luck

[southeastoriginal]

CA will pass law banning fires and wind and problem would be solved in Dems eyes if you defy these orders you will be heavily fined or imprisoned.
-Gavin Newsome

[Rantsack]

They don’t NEED help from other states!
They have their VERY INTELLIGENT Government with millions or billions of pocket money from taxpayers to HELP their California citizens

[wakkosick]

I love how they played an endless parade of stories about homeless people starting fires and now its the winds fault that everything is burning.

[ventures]

Southern California fires are renewable! It’s a gift that just keeps on giving! Welcome to paradise! 🌅🍿

[lastditch]

How did these fires start? I mean aside from over night ofc.

[njnature]

People are literally burning alive and this woman is talking about the smell being not pleasant. She actually leads the story with, "it's the top trending story across the country." Then the guy says, "traffic is so bad..." Then, they go to a weather report! WHO THE FK IS PRODUCING THIS CONTENT!

[TKO]

Vote Democrat….your tax dollars not going to buy you water to put the flame out.

[Twim]

Crews need to reflect on the Prescott Hotshots to ensure it doesnt happen again. This situation would make it possible. Get out!

[richatlarge]

You are describing the conditions for the rapid spreading of the fires, and not what actually started the fires.