Mass Evacuations in California: 30,000 Residents Forced to Flee Wildfires, State of Emergency Declared

A firefighter hard at work trying to extinguish flames in California, Jan. 8, 2025.

Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate Los Angeles as a fast-moving brush fire in the Pacific Palisades area scorched nearly 3,000 acres overnight.

The fire, driven by dry conditions and gusty winds, erupted late Tuesday and quickly spread, forcing emergency officials to act swiftly.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, evacuation orders were issued for nearly 30,000 residents, and more than 10,000 homes were under threat.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles, declared a state of emergency to mobilize resources and expedite aid to affected communities. 

Newsom said, “This is a highly dangerous windstorm that’s creating extreme fire risk – and we’re not out of the woods. We’re already seeing the destructive impacts with this fire in Pacific Palisades that grew rapidly in a matter of minutes."

Firefighters from across the region have been deployed to battle the flames, but the challenging terrain and shifting winds have hampered containment efforts.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone warned that wind conditions are expected to deteriorate further, stating, “We are not out of danger. The National Weather Service has predicted that the winds are going to pick up and get worse."

Large parts of Southern California are currently under red flag warnings, signallingheightened fire danger. Residents are encouraged to monitor updates from local authorities and remain prepared for any further developments.

This latest wildfire serves as yet another stark reminder of the ongoing risks posed by California’s prolonged drought and climate change, which have intensified fire seasons in recent years.