Devastating wildfire in California: wind, dry conditions to blame?

A devastating wildfire ravaged Southern California on Tuesday, fueled by fierce winds, rapidly growing across the Pacific Palisades and nearby areas. The fire has forced 30,000 residents to evacuate as authorities warn the situation could worsen.

The inferno began around 10:30 AM, rapidly spreading across nearly 3,000 acres by evening. Officials suspect strong winds—gusting up to 100 miles per hour, the strongest in over a decade—and extremely dry conditions caused the fire's swift expansion.

Over 30,000 residents fled Pacific Palisades, an upscale coastal neighbourhood housing celebrities and a population of about 24,000. As fire crews battled the flames, residents faced heavy traffic along narrow streets, complicating evacuations. One of the main roads out, Sunset Boulevard, was jammed for miles.

In addition to the Palisades fire, authorities responded to a rapidly advancing brush fire in the San Gabriel Mountains above Altadena. By evening, the fire had consumed 400 acres in two hours. Firefighters issued mandatory evacuations for Pasadena and Altadena, where residents braced for further spread under worsening conditions.

Multiple fire teams and helicopters have been dispatched, but with the fire still growing and no significant containment, air quality has deteriorated. Officials noted the smoke could cause health concerns even for those far from the flames, with a dangerous level of particulate matter affecting areas up to 100 miles away.

Early reports of property damage include the destruction of several structures, but thankfully, no fatalities or injuries were reported as of Tuesday evening. A fire at the Getty Villa, a museum in Malibu, damaged trees and vegetation, though the museum's collections and staff remained safe.

Utility disruptions have been widespread, with over 80,000 residents losing power due to fierce winds and preemptive power shutoffs to prevent more fires. Southern California Edison cut power to over 34,000 customers, with an additional 420,000 potential outages under consideration.

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, acknowledging the severity of the situation as officials scrambled to prevent further destruction.

Evacuations were expanded throughout the evening, with some areas on the Pacific Coast Highway and parts of Calabasas added to the orders. A local school district in Malibu cancelled classes for the next day as officials focused on safety protocols for residents and responders.

As firefighters battle the fires and assess damages, officials warned that the worst may lie ahead. With continued dry, windy conditions expected, the future of the Palisades fire and the Eaton Canyon blaze remains uncertain.

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