California Wildfires: Governor Declares Emergency as Flames Ravage Pacific Palisades

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday as raging wildfires swept through Los Angeles, forcing tens of thousands of residents, including those in celebrity neighborhoods, to evacuate. The fires, fanned by extreme Santa Ana winds, destroyed homes and threatened over 13,000 structures in Pacific Palisades and nearby areas.

Emergency services faced challenges as abandoned vehicles clogged roads, prompting authorities to use bulldozers to clear paths for fire trucks. The blaze has consumed over 4.6 square miles of land, with residents reporting flames visible as far as Venice Beach.

Governor Newsom visited the affected area and warned residents, “By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods.” Strong winds of up to 100 mph are expected to persist, worsening fire conditions.

Key Highlights:

• Impact: Over 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders.
• Power Outages: Nearly 28,300 households remain without power, while 15,000 customers experienced preemptive power cuts to prevent further fires.
• Damage: Multi-million-dollar homes have been destroyed, with helicopters dumping water to combat the flames.

Actor James Woods shared footage of flames near his home, and actor Steve Guttenberg urged residents to leave car keys behind to aid evacuation efforts. Some students in the Pacific Palisades area were relocated to safer campuses due to fire risks.

President Joe Biden canceled travel plans to inland Riverside County due to the erratic weather and pledged federal assistance for firefighting efforts.

As winds are expected to intensify, officials are urging residents to follow evacuation orders and prioritize safety over property.