Thousands of residents in Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades evacuated their homes as they fled a massive wildfire that raged through the upscale locality, destroying acres within hours. As the fire rapidly consumed the enclave, many abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot due to traffic jams. Later, the local authorities used bulldozers to tow away the cars to create a clear path for rescue efforts.
Since the cars were abandoned without keys, officials, claiming them as obstructions to evacuation routes, authorised the use of bulldozers to clear the vehicles. Many of them were destroyed in the process. Visuals showed bulldozers ploughing through nearly 200 vehicles in the Pacific Palisades, one of the poshest localities in Los Angeles.
A rapidly growing wildfire destroyed several homes and forced the evacuation of at least 30,000 people, as the area engulfed in thick plumes of smoke. Witnesses reported multiple homes ablaze, with flames licking at their cars as residents fled the hills of Topanga Canyon. The fire quickly spread towards the Pacific Ocean.
Officials confirmed that at least 2,921 acres of the Pacific Palisades area, nestled between the coastal towns of Santa Monica and Malibu, had been burned. Firefighters employed a unique strategy, scooping seawater from the ocean to drop on the advancing flames.
With only a single major road leading out of the canyon and a solitary coastal highway providing an escape route, traffic ground to a standstill, prompting many residents to flee on foot. The fire’s rapid spread intensified as officials warned of worsening wind conditions overnight, raising concerns about further evacuations.
The Getty Villa, a renowned museum housing priceless art, suffered minor damage with some trees on its grounds singed. However, the collection itself remained safe, largely attributed to proactive measures such as brush clearance around the buildings. The museum announced its closure for at least the remainder of the week.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, mobilising personnel, firetrucks, and aircraft across Southern California to address the heightened fire danger in the region.
Pacific Palisades, home to numerous Hollywood celebrities, faced the devastating impact of the blaze. Actor James Woods expressed uncertainty about the fate of his home on X, saying, “I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing”. Actor Steve Guttenberg told media that his friends encountered significant obstacles during their evacuation attempts due to vehicles abandoned in the roadway.
