What to know about the California wildfires, including how to help
More than a thousand firefighters have been deployed, about 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders, and about 13,000 structures are threatened.
Towering orange flames billow over homes, ferocious winds kick, and vast clouds of smoke show no sign of slowing down throughout the Los Angeles area.
That’s the scene Wednesday as firefighters battle massive California wildfires tearing up the metropolitan area with devastating force. Gusty winds are amplifying the smoke and hampering firefighters’ ability to fly aircraft to help. At least two people have died.
With more than a thousand firefighters deployed, about 30,000 residents under evacuation orders, and about 13,000 structures under threat, the National Weather Service is calling the Palisades wildfire the “most destructive windstorm” the area has seen since 2011.
Here’s what to know about the wildfires and how to help.
Where are the wildfires?
Three major fires extend across the Los Angeles area: the Palisades fire, the Eaton fire, and the Hurst fire.
The Palisades fire, the largest as of Wednesday, extended across the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in western Los Angeles, sending plumes of smoke visible across the city. Residents in Venice Beach — about six miles away — reported being able to see the flames.
Evacuation warnings extend from Malibu to Santa Monica, with energy providers shutting off power in high-risk areas to try and prevent further damage.
The Eaton fire in Altadena quickly burned 3.5 square miles before tripling in size within a few hours on Wednesday, fire officials said. The Hurst fire burned through hundreds of acres in Sylmar, a community northwest of L.A. in the San Fernando Valley.
Here’s a map of the wildfires
CalFire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, has published an interactive view of the Palisades fire. The map shows the active wildfire perimeter and the areas under evacuation orders and warnings.
Users can pan and zoom over the map to see the fire in relation to other areas of Los Angeles, including Santa Monica, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley.
What started the wildfires?
Wildfires can be caused by natural or artificial ignition. Natural igniters take place within nature (like lightning striking a tree), while artificial ignition may be caused by humans or machinery (like a car exploding near trees).
Fire officials are investigating the cause of the California fires, but experts say strong Santa Ana winds are contributing to their quick spread.
“The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion,” officials with CalFire said.
California’s wildfire season typically begins in June or July and runs through October, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, but January wildfires are not unprecedented. There was one in 2022 and 10 in 2021, according to CalFire.
The season is beginning earlier and ending later due to rising temperatures and decreased rainfall tied to climate change, according to recent data. Rains that usually end fire season are often delayed, meaning fires can burn through the winter months, the association said.
What notable areas have been damaged?
The fire burned down Temescal Canyon, a popular hiking area surrounded by dense neighborhoods of multimillion-dollar homes.
Flames jumped the famous Sunset Boulevard and burned parts of the Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions, including the 1976 horror movie Carrie, the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday, and the TV series Teen Wolf.
Celebrities ranging from Miles Teller to Eugene Levy live in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
Levy told the Los Angeles Times that “the smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon.”
Philly native Rob McElhenney, of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, reported his family safe in an emotional post on X.
“So many homes, whole neighborhoods are just ... gone,” he wrote. “Everyone in our lives reaching out, which makes our heart so full.”
Sunset Boulevard — the iconic West Hollywood strip recognized for its food, shopping, and nightlife — was gridlocked on Tuesday as residents attempted to evacuate. Officials advised people to abandon their cars and walk to safety, NPR reported. The fire department moved the abandoned vehicles to make way for firefighters. The main stretch remained closed Wednesday.
What have California Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden said about the wildfires?
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday and has thanked firefighters and first responders, urged residents to take necessary precautions, and offered resources, calling it an “all-hands-on-deck” operation.
“We will continue to mobilize resources and support local communities as [firefighters] respond to this severe weather,” Newsom wrote Tuesday night on X.
President Joe Biden visited a fire station in the area for a briefing on Wednesday alongside first lady Jill Biden and Newsom. Biden said federal assistance would be provided.
“Earlier tonight, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs,” Biden said Tuesday on X. “My Administration will do everything it can to support the response. I urge the residents of the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles to stay vigilant and listen to local officials.”
What if I already had plans to travel to L.A.?
A prescheduled trip to Los Angeles may be tricky right now.
While most of the city’s popular tourist destinations — like Beverly Hills and downtown — are unaffected, strong winds are blowing plumes of smoke throughout the southern part of the state. Beyond smoke and fire, with 30,000 people evacuated and many areas lacking power for safety, infrastructure for landmarks and attractions is scarce.
Several museums — including UCLA’s contemporary Hammer Museum, the Getty Villa, and the Getty Center — as well as state parks are closed.
Universal Studios and Universal CityWalk are closed. Six Flags said Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita and Hurricane Harbor are also closed.
Disneyland in Anaheim — which is about 50 miles south of the Pacific Palisades — remains open. Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park also remains open.
It’s also worth noting that nearly 20 school districts are closed, along with several major highways. Still, the majority of arriving and departing flights at Los Angeles International Airport remain unaffected, according to FlightRadar24.
How can I help?
Several organizations are working to provide aid. Here’s a look at some groups accepting donations:
The California Fire Foundation supports victims of wildfires statewide and firefighters and their families.
The Red Cross operates emergency shelters and provides resources to residents who have been displaced. You can also text “WILDFIRES” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Salvation Army gives grants to displaced people to help with their immediate and long-term needs.
The Wildlife Recovery Fund helps support communities recovering from long-term wildfire impacts, particularly after immediate attention has shifted away.
Popular crowdfunding site GoFundMe has a verified Wildfire Relief Fund that will provide cash grants to people recovering from the wildfire’s impact.
GoFundMe also has a verified list of independent fundraisers from a mix of individual families and animal rescues that are in the area and soliciting funding.
Local residents can learn about volunteering opportunities by visiting californiavolunteers.ca.gov, while Mutual Aid LA is compiling a list of local resources, from personal protective equipment collections and shelter supply collections to horse evacuations.
Staff writer Rob Tornoe contributed to this article, which also contains information from the Associated Press.