Major brush fires burning in SoCal amid powerful windstorm

Last updated: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 6:25PM GMT
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LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A windstorm that forecasters described as potentially destructive and life-threatening is impacting a large swath of Southern California, dramatically raising the risk of wildfires for the next several days.

Firefighters are battling a fire in the foothills of Pacific Palisades, a Los Angeles coastal neighborhood. Another brush fire erupted in the evening in the Eaton Canyon area near Altadena, prompting mandatory evacuations. Then late Tuesday night, the Hurst Fire erupted in the Sylmar area.

Winds are expected to peak in the early hours of Wednesday, when gusts could reach 80 mph, the National Weather Service said. Isolated gusts could top 100 mph in mountains and foothills.

Red flag warnings are in effect and will and remain in place until 6 p.m. Thursday for the Malibu coast, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, the Santa Clarita Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the 5 Freeway and 14 Freeway corridors.

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Jan 08, 2025, 6:00 PM

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Jan 07, 2025, 8:49 PM GMT

Actor James Woods shares frightening videos of Pacific Palisades fire

Actor James Woods shared frightening videos of the brush fire burning in Pacific Palisades as he prepared to evacuate.

Woods shared several videos on his X account showing flames burning dangerously close to several homes, sending smoke billowing over the area.

Woods shared several videos on his X account showing flames burning dangerously close to several homes, sending smoke billowing over the area.

"Hope everybody gets out safely," read one of his posts.

Another post simply said, "Leaving."

Jan 07, 2025, 7:51 PM GMT

LAUSD relocates students at several schools

The Los Angeles Unified School District is temporarily relocating Palisades Elementary School and Marquez Elementary School students to Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet, a spokesperson told Eyewitness News.

Paul Revere Middle School students will be relocated to University High School Charter.

The spokesperson said all schools that are impacted will be communicating directly with families.

"We are continuously evaluating the situation and will make changes as necessary."

Jan 07, 2025, 7:49 PM GMT

Pacific Palisades fire grows, triggers evacuation order

A brush fire in Pacific Palisades has grown to 200 acres and is forcing residents in the area to leave their homes.

The Los Angeles Fire Department issued a mandatory evacuation order for the area between Piedra Morada Drive and Pacific Coast Highway.

Jan 07, 2025, 7:43 PM GMT

Biden remarks in SoCal canceled due to weather issues

President Joe Biden's scheduled remarks from the Coachella Valley on the designation of two new monuments were canceled due to weather issues, the White House announced.

"Due to weather issues, the President will not travel to Thermal, CA. The previously scheduled remarks will be delivered in Los Angeles, CA," the White House said in a statement.

Biden traveled to Southern California to announce the establishment of two new national monuments that will honor Native American tribes, including the Chuckwalla National Monument near Joshua Tree National Park.