नेपाल सम्वत् ११४५ प्वहेलाथ्वः ९ ( २४ पुष , २०८१) जनवरी ८, २०२५ , बुधबार, बाँपीझ्याला । Southern California was struck by two fast-moving wildfires on Tuesday, with the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and Altadena’s inland foothills experiencing widespread destruction and chaos. Strong winds, dry conditions, and little rainfall fueled the fires, prompting emergency evacuations, road closures, and widespread power outages.
The Pacific Palisades fire, which started in the morning, swept through the affluent hillside neighborhood, home to many celebrities, destroying multimillion-dollar homes and threatening over 13,000 structures. About 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders as winds exceeding 60 mph (97 kph) spread the flames rapidly. Residents fleeing the area faced clogged roads, with many abandoning vehicles and evacuating on foot. The fire consumed 4.6 square miles (11.6 square kilometers) by evening, creating dramatic plumes of smoke visible citywide.
In Altadena, the Eaton fire ignited in the evening, forcing the evacuation of a senior care facility. Staff pushed wheelchair-bound residents to safety as the fire spread quickly near a nature preserve. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, warning residents of worsening winds overnight, with gusts expected to reach 100 mph (160 kph) in some areas.
The chaos intensified as emergency responders struggled against the wind-driven flames. Firefighting aircraft were grounded due to high winds, and roadblocks hindered the movement of emergency vehicles. In the Pacific Palisades, bulldozers cleared abandoned cars to make way for fire trucks. Meanwhile, utilities preemptively cut power to 15,000 customers to reduce fire risks, with 28,300 homes already without electricity.
Amid the devastation, President Biden canceled plans to travel inland and remained in Los Angeles, offering federal assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved funding to support firefighting efforts. Residents shared harrowing stories of narrow escapes. Longtime Palisades resident Will Adams evacuated his family as the fire spread rapidly, leaving homes burning and embers flying through the air. Actor Steve Guttenberg urged residents to leave car keys behind to assist emergency responders in clearing blocked roads.
The fires disrupted daily life, with schools in the area temporarily relocating students, film studios canceling premieres, and the Getty Villa reporting minor damage to its grounds. Experts attribute the fires to the notorious Santa Ana winds and unusually dry conditions, with Southern California experiencing minimal rainfall since May. Officials cautioned that the situation remains dire as winds persist, heightening the risk of further destruction in the days ahead.
