This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
The Palisades Fire broke out in the Santa Monica Mountains around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday and immediately began charging toward the community of Pacific Palisades, creating chaos as residents struggled to evacuate on clogged streets.
Images captured by nearby wildfire cameras showed the fire bearing down on homes perched on hillsides. The conditions could easily become a dire scenario for the Palisades community as strong winds make the fire all but unstoppable in its march toward the Pacific Ocean.
Plumes of smoke are seen as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades as seen from Santa Monica, California on January 7, 2025.
The basics
- Acreage: 200 acres as noon Tuesday
- Containment: 0%
- Structures destroyed: Unclear
These are Paradise California conditions in the Palisades. We were in a neighborhood as it went up in flames. Mass panic in the streets, and the worst of the wind will hit the Palisades Fire tonight pic.twitter.com/NY4joNow4I
— Jonathan Vigliotti 🐋 (@JonVigliotti) January 7, 2025
Evacuation map and orders
Evacuation orders were issued by the L.A. County Fire Department at 11:52 a.m. via the federal Wireless Emergency Alert System.
Evacuation zones are changing fast, so check out the most up to date, interactive map here.
Evacuation orders (red) and warnings (yellow) as of Tuesday afternoon as result of the fast spreading Palisades Fire, which broke out on January 7, 2025.
Authorities say those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately, even if they’ve received evacuation warnings.
Evacuation center
Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd. (accepts small animals)
High wind conditions
The fire is being pushed by dangerously strong gusts of around 60 mph. The winds are expected to strengthen throughout the day into Wednesday morning, potentially topping 100 mph in some mountain locations.
Plumes of smoke are seen as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025.
The fire was initially reported to be 200 acres, though it is expected to quickly grow in size.
It’s unclear what started the fire, but given that there was no lightning nearby, the likelihood is that it wasn’t due to natural causes.
Road closures
Pacific Coast Highway is closed in both directions at Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
Listen to our Big Burn podcast
Get ready now. Listen to our The Big Burn podcast
Jacob Margolis, LAist’s science reporter, examines the new normal of big fires in California.
Resources to prep and cope with wildfire
