A rapidly spreading wildfire in California's Pacific Palisades forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025. The blaze, fueled by strong winds, expanded dramatically from a 20-acre start to over 3,000 acres within hours.
The affected area, a wealthy coastal neighborhood, includes homes of numerous celebrities like Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon, and Adam Sandler. While there are no reported injuries, several homes have sustained damage. Over 250 firefighters are battling the blaze.
Reality TV stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, parents of two young children, were also evacuated from their home. Pratt documented the situation via social media, posting videos showing the fire's approach and the evacuation efforts. Montag similarly shared an urgent message on social media expressing their fear.
Beyond the immediate impact on residents, several Hollywood events, including film premieres, were canceled due to the emergency. Local resident Steve Guttenberg described the intense conditions, emphasizing the difficulty in evacuating due to traffic congestion, and noting the significant destruction caused by the fire spreading throughout the neighborhood.
The broader impact extends beyond Pacific Palisades. The Eaton fire, burning in the San Gabriel Mountains, expanded to 400 acres, forcing evacuations and threatening hundreds of homes. Extreme winds, impacting the region, have further hampered firefighting efforts, grounding firefighting aircraft. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency, and Governor Gavin Newsom reported significant structural damage. A life-threatening windstorm, warned by the National Weather Service, is expected to continue impacting the region through Wednesday.
