LOS ANGELES, CA — Southern California is grappling with a potentially destructive windstorm, raising the risk of wildfires across the region.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has described the conditions as life-threatening, with gusts peaking at 80 mph and isolated mountain areas experiencing winds exceeding 100 mph.

The storm has fueled a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, prompting evacuations and an all-out emergency response.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is battling the Palisades Fire, which broke out in the foothills of this coastal neighborhood.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire has led to chaotic scenes, with people abandoning vehicles and fleeing on foot. The LAFD reported a “firefighter down” incident and confirmed that people were trapped in the affected area.

Evacuation orders have been issued for residents in the wildfire’s path. The LAFD advised:
“Pack all people and pets into your vehicle and leave the area immediately. If you are not in the mandatory evacuation zone, stay off the roads to allow first responders and evacuees to move quickly.”

An evacuation center has been established at the Westwood Recreation Center, located at 1350 South Sepulveda Boulevard.

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has temporarily relocated students from three campuses in the Pacific Palisades area.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared a citywide tactical alert to assist with evacuations and firefighting efforts.

While there are no confirmed reports of injuries or structural damage at this time, authorities are bracing for further challenges as the wildfire spreads.

LAFD Capt. Erik Scott highlighted the urgency of the situation:
“We threw everything we had at it really quick. We knew that if we didn’t get it in 20 minutes, it would grow to hundreds of acres and become nearly impossible to control, even with a significant initial attack.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged the coordinated response in a statement, noting that strike teams had been pre-deployed in anticipation of the high winds.

Firefighters from Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, and Ventura County are working together, utilizing the region’s extensive aerial firefighting resources.

The NWS has issued red flag warnings, effective through 6 p.m. Thursday, for multiple areas, including:

• The Malibu coast
• Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area
• San Gabriel Valley
• San Fernando Valley
• Santa Clarita Valley
• San Gabriel Mountains
• 5 and 14 Freeway corridors

These warnings underscore the heightened risk of wildfires due to the extreme winds and dry conditions.

Residents across Southern California are urged to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders promptly.

Those outside the evacuation zones are advised to avoid travel in impacted areas to ensure emergency vehicles and evacuees can move freely.

The cause of the Palisades Fire remains under investigation, but authorities stress that conditions are ripe for additional fire outbreaks.

Los Angeles County residents “can really be proud that we arguably have the largest initial attack of aviation resources in the United States,” Capt. Scott added, emphasizing the robust mutual aid between local and regional agencies.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.