After igniting a panicked flight from burning homes with flames, fierce winds, and towering clouds of smoke, wildfires swept across the Los Angeles area on Wednesday with catastrophic power.
While another fire that began hours earlier tore through the Pacific Palisades section of the city, flames erupted Tuesday evening close to a nature preserve in the northeastern inland foothills of Los Angeles. Around 10:30 p.m., a third wildfire broke out, forcing residents of Sylmar, the northernmost area in Los Angeles, to evacuate. All three fires were being investigated for their causes.
On Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, California, a senior center resident is evacuated as the Eaton Fire draws near. (Photo by Ethan Swope for AP)
Although leaving a wildfire region can be frightening, experts advise that with a little planning and common sense, people can greatly increase their personal safety.
Make plans as if you were going on a seven-day vacation. Jesse Torres, a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, advised having clothing, toilet paper, a toothbrush, soap, and a towel inside.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, a helicopter drops water on the approaching Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades district of Los Angeles. (Photo by Ethan Swope for AP)
According to Jesse Torres, a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, having a go bag, preparing a wildfire action plan, and exercising basic situational awareness during evacuations can all make a significant difference while fleeing a crisis.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Altadena, California, residents of a senior center are evacuated as the Eaton Fire draws near. (Photo by Ethan Swope for AP)
The most crucial piece of advice, though? According to Torres, don’t wait for an evacuation order.
The most important thing is to leave early, before the alerts are sent. “Avoiding the traffic is crucial,” he remarked.
The extent of the destruction will soon become more apparent when the morning sky begins to lighten. The strewn fires are illuminating some of the hillsides.
On Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, California, a senior center resident is evacuated as the Eaton Fire draws near. (Photo by Ethan Swope for AP)
When does the wildfire season often start in California?
As per the Western Fire Chiefs Association, it often begins in June or July and lasts until October.
According to CalFire, there were ten wildfires in 2021 and one in 2022, thus January fires are not unusual.
Vehicles and buildings are burned by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. (Photo by Ethan Swope for AP)
According to recent research, climate change-related increases in temperatures and decreases in precipitation are causing the season to start earlier and end later. According to the group, this means that flames might continue to burn through the winter months because rains that typically conclude the fire season are sometimes delayed.
The fires are being driven by strong Santa Ana winds.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Altadena, California, residents of a senior center are evacuated as the Eaton Fire draws near. (Photo by Ethan Swope for AP)
Winds of up to 80 mph (129 kph) have been reported this morning by the National Weather Service. They might reach speeds of up to 100 mph (160 kph) in foothills and mountains, including places that haven’t seen much precipitation in months.
Extremely dangerous fire weather conditions are being highlighted by red flag warnings. According to weather service meteorologist Peter Mullinax, those include abnormally dry relative humidity levels.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, residents of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles evacuate both on foot and by car from the oncoming Palisades Fire. (Photo by Etienne Laurent for AP)
According to him, the winds are predicted to persist into Thursday as well, offering minimal respite.
Wednesday morning’s scene
In just over an hour, it will be sunrise.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in Altadena, California, a car drives down East Mendocino Street while a wildfire rages in the hills next to Eaton Canyon. (Photo courtesy of Chris Pizzello)AP
Overnight, the pictures were bleak: A burning window in the Pacific Palisades framed the bones of a Christmas tree.
Luxurious residences fell in a tornado of embers.
The scarlet sky glowed as palm tree tops whipped against it.
The water sprayed by helicopters trying to put out the fire was dwarfed by the enormous clouds of smoke.
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