Los Angeles Fires Continue to Burn as Hollywood Blaze Subsides
Two massive wildfires, threatening Los Angeles from the east and west, continued to rage out of control on Thursday, two days after they began. Firefighters, however, made progress in extinguishing another blaze in the Hollywood Hills.
The Palisades Fire, situated between Santa Monica and Malibu in the city’s west, and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena in the east, have become the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles’ history. Together, they have scorched nearly 28,000 acres—an area larger than Disney World—leaving entire neighborhoods in ruins. Officials reported at least five fatalities, thousands of structures destroyed, and approximately 180,000 people forced to evacuate. The death toll is expected to rise, warned Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna during a Thursday morning press conference.
Although the Eaton Fire remains 0% contained, its expansion has significantly slowed, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone. Winds, which earlier in the week reached speeds of 100 miles per hour, have decreased slightly, enabling critical aerial firefighting efforts. "We are in a much better position than on Tuesday and Wednesday," Marrone said.
Despite this progress, officials cautioned that gusts of up to 60 miles per hour are expected to persist throughout the day. Kristin Crowley, Chief of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, urged residents to stay prepared for evacuation orders. "The Palisades Fire is undoubtedly one of the most devastating natural disasters in Los Angeles’ history," Crowley stated.
Overnight, firefighters, assisted by helicopters deploying water and retardants, managed to gain ground against the Sunset Fire. This fire had triggered mandatory evacuations in Hollywood and Hollywood Hills, including iconic sites such as the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. By Thursday, the fire had shrunk to about 43 acres, with no buildings lost, according to a fire department spokesperson. Evacuation orders were subsequently lifted.
As of Thursday morning, Los Angeles County was battling at least five separate wildfires, fueled by powerful winds and dry conditions following months without rain. Mayor Karen Bass called it a "perfect storm" of hazardous circumstances.
Mayor Bass, who faced criticism for being on an official trip to Ghana when the fires started, told reporters her priority is to protect lives and property. She emphasized that the city would evaluate its emergency response once the crisis is under control. "Right now, our focus is on saving lives and homes," she said.
The Palisades and Eaton fires are so massive they can be seen from space, forming a pincer-like grip around the city. Among the properties destroyed were the homes of celebrities. Actor Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice, announced the loss of their Pacific Palisades residence, where they had lived since 1979. Media personality Paris Hilton expressed heartbreak after watching her Malibu beachfront home burn down on live television.
The fires erupted during an especially vulnerable period for Southern California. Months of dry weather, combined with the fierce Santa Ana winds, created ideal conditions for wildfires to spread rapidly. The National Weather Service extended Red Flag warnings for Los Angeles and Ventura counties until Friday evening, citing high winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures.
Water shortages added to the challenges, with some fire hydrants running dry in Pacific Palisades. President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation Thursday morning and planned to meet with top officials to discuss the federal response, the White House reported.
In the aftermath of the fires, residents returned to devastated neighborhoods, where brick chimneys stood amidst ash and rubble. Oliver Allnatt, 36, described the destruction: "My family’s home and mine were both reduced to dust—just chimneys and ash. It’s like something out of a movie."
Thousands sought shelter in temporary facilities. In Westwood, local residents brought food, blankets, and other supplies to evacuees, while volunteers like Jeff Harris used his food truck to serve meals. At a shelter in Pasadena, evacuee Kevin Williams recalled fleeing as gas canisters exploded nearby. "The flames were 30 to 40 feet high, and it sounded like a war zone," he said.
Aerial footage from KTLA showed entire blocks of Pacific Palisades reduced to smoldering ruins, with occasional flashes of orange from still-burning homes. Exhausted firefighters struggled to keep pace with the scale of the disaster. Reinforcements, including crews from six states and 1,000 personnel from Northern California, were being rushed to assist, Marrone said.
