A massive and fast-moving brushfire has ignited in Pasadena, California, forcing evacuations in the city of 150,000 residents. This new blaze, known as the Eaton Fire, comes as firefighters are already battling a devastating inferno in the Pacific Palisades, which has led to over 30,000 evacuations and widespread destruction of buildings.
The Eaton Fire has already consumed hundreds of acres as it rages through the Angeles National Forest near Altadena and Pasadena on Tuesday night. Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and heightened fire risk, it marks the second major blaze to erupt in the Los Angeles area.
The fire started around 6 p.m. local time in Eaton Canyon near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive, according to CBS Los Angeles. Within two hours, it rapidly grew to over 400 acres, burning through brush and spreading uphill, as confirmed by the Angeles National Forest on X. Pasadena fire officials report that strong winds are causing the fire to behave unpredictably, putting numerous structures at risk, according to city spokesperson Lisa Derderian. Emergency crews are actively evacuating residents, establishing emergency response centers, and assisting vulnerable populations, including hospital patients and the elderly.
As of 7:20 p.m., evacuation orders were issued for parts of Altadena and Pasadena, according to local outlet KCAL. The exact number of people affected remains unclear, though some residents of convalescent homes were also evacuated. An evacuation center has been set up at the Westwood Recreation Center, located at 1350 S. Sepulveda Boulevard in Los Angeles, officials confirmed.
The Eaton Fire comes as firefighting resources in Southern California are stretched thin due to a massive blaze in the Pacific Palisades, about 40 miles west of Pasadena. That wildfire has already scorched more than 2,900 acres and destroyed dozens of buildings since it began on Tuesday morning. According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, over 10,300 homes are at risk, though it remains uncertain how many have been directly impacted so far.
The fire’s rapid spread and erratic behavior have forced some residents to abandon their vehicles while evacuating. Meanwhile, traffic congestion has paralyzed several major roadways in the Los Angeles area as more people are forced to flee.
Southern California is currently grappling with one of the most severe windstorms in decades. The National Weather Service reports wind gusts of up to 80 mph in some areas, with the strongest exceeding 100 mph. These extreme conditions have severely hindered aerial firefighting efforts, as planes that would typically drop fire retardants remain grounded. With resources strained, the Los Angeles County Fire Department has called in all off-duty firefighters and requested additional support from neighboring regions.
As the Palisades fire continues to grow, the City of Santa Monica has issued mandatory evacuation orders for large portions of the area. “City of Santa Monica is issuing an Evacuation Order for all areas of the city north of San Vicente,” the city announced on social media. “Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is closed to public access.” Santa Monica, home to approximately 90,000 residents, is situated between Malibu and Los Angeles, just west of Pacific Palisades.
A massive and fast-moving brushfire has broken out in Pasadena, California, prompting evacuations across the city of 150,000 residents. This marks the second major fire to erupt in the Los Angeles area, as firefighters are already grappling with an out-of-control blaze in the Pacific Palisades, which has forced over 30,000 evacuations and left numerous buildings destroyed.
The Eaton Fire has consumed hundreds of acres and continues to burn through the Angeles National Forest near Altadena and Pasadena. Strong Santa Ana winds and heightened fire risks have fueled its rapid spread. The fire ignited shortly after 6 p.m. in Eaton Canyon near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive, according to CBS Los Angeles. Within two hours, it had engulfed over 400 acres of brush, spreading rapidly uphill. Pasadena fire officials reported that strong winds were causing the fire to behave unpredictably, placing numerous structures at risk, according to city spokesperson Lisa Derderian. Emergency teams are working to evacuate residents, establish emergency response centers, and assist vulnerable populations, including hospital patients and the elderly.
Footage from UC San Diego captured the Eaton Fire’s rapid expansion within minutes. Crews have also evacuated residents from a senior care facility in Pasadena.
By 7:20 p.m., evacuation orders were issued for parts of Altadena and Pasadena, local outlet KCAL reported. The exact number of people impacted is unknown, though convalescent home residents were evacuated. An evacuation center has been set up at the Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 S. Sepulveda Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, firefighting resources in Southern California are stretched thin due to the Pacific Palisades wildfire, about 40 miles west of Pasadena. That fire has already burned over 2,900 acres, destroyed dozens of buildings, and threatened more than 10,300 homes, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Many residents were forced to abandon vehicles during evacuations, and several major roadways in the region have come to a standstill.
The fires are being exacerbated by one of the worst windstorms in decades. The National Weather Service has reported gusts up to 80 mph, with some exceeding 100 mph. These extreme conditions have grounded firefighting aircraft, limiting aerial suppression efforts. To manage the crisis, the Los Angeles County Fire Department has called in all off-duty firefighters and requested assistance from neighboring regions.
As the Pacific Palisades fire intensifies, the City of Santa Monica issued mandatory evacuation orders for areas north of San Vicente Boulevard, warning of an immediate threat to life. Residents were ordered to leave the area immediately. Santa Monica, home to 90,000 residents, lies between Malibu and Los Angeles, west of Pacific Palisades.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency due to the fires. “Southern California residents: stay vigilant, take all necessary precautions, and follow local emergency guidance,” he urged in an announcement on X. President Biden has also offered federal assistance to help combat the Pacific Palisades fire.
Governor Newsom joined Los Angeles officials for a press conference to provide updates on evacuation and emergency response efforts. “This is a highly dangerous windstorm creating extreme fire risk. We’ve already seen the destructive impacts with the Pacific Palisades fire growing rapidly within minutes,” he said. “Our deepest thanks go to the firefighters and first responders tackling these dangerous fires. If you’re in Southern California, please monitor weather reports and adhere to emergency officials’ guidance.”