Summary

Live Reporting

Edited by Gavin Butler

  1. Scale of destruction from fast-moving blaze is still unknown

    A car burns after catching on fire as a result of the Palisades wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California, USA, 07 January 2025. According to the National Weather Service, large portions of the Los Angeles area are under extreme wildfire risk from 07 to 08 January due to high winds and dry conditions. Palisades Wildfire in Los Angeles, California, Pacific Palisades,EPA

    We're now seeing a new photo which shows another car burning as a result of the Palisades wildfire.

    This is the second car we've seen on fire so far. We've also seen images of a house on fire in the Pacific Palisades.

    The situation is moving so quickly that we do not yet know how bad the destruction in town is.

    There's a total evacuation order in place for Pacific Palisades, and the fires are being fuelled by wind gusts as fast as 80-100mph (126km/h - 160km/h).

  2. Schools in Los Angeles area 'relocating' students

    The Los Angeles Unified School District says it is relocating students at the elementary and middle schools in the area to other schools as the fire threat grows.

    The schools, back in session this week after winter break, serve younger children to those in the early teen ages.

    The high school, featured in the television show Social Studies and which has appeared in many movies, is a charter school that operates independently from LAUSD. Its students were still on winter break today and only a handful of staff were on site.

  3. Fire grows to more than 770 acres
    Breaking

    The fire has jumped from only 20 acres this morning to more than 770 acres now, according to CalFire.

    Mandatory evacuations are still in place.

    Officials say the size of the fire was determined using "aerial mapping".

    Meanwhile there are about 30 vehicles that have been abandoned and will be moved by bulldozer, according to the state's fire agency.

    Over 250 Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters are currently tackling the blaze.

  4. Where is the wildfire burning?

    A map showing the state of California and the city of Pacific Palisades

    The fire is blazing through the upscale community of Pacific Palisades, threatening structures in Los Angeles's beautiful Santa Monica mountains.

    Officials are warning that high winds will continue to fan the flames. In mountainous regions, gusts of up to 100mph (160km/h) are forecast.

    Dangerously dry conditions mean that embers sent up by the flames could possibly land and spark more fires, maybe even miles away from where the current blaze is being fought.

  5. Los Angeles police on all-hands-on-deck 'tactical alert'

    People watch as others drive out of harm’s way as the Palisades Fire burns amid a powerful windstormGetty Images

    The Los Angeles Police Department says that it is now on tactical alert. This is the equivalent of calling "all hands on deck", where all officers in the city can be sent into help with any part of the emergency.

    This also means officers won't be able to clock-off any time soon.

    It's a sign of how serious the threat of this fast-spreading fire is to the area.

  6. Have you been affected by the wildfire? Share your story

    Get in touch text

    Have you been affected by the wildfire in Los Angeles? If it's safe to do so, you can share your stories, photos and videos by getting in touch in the following ways:

    Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.

  7. Firefighters work to extinguish house engulfed by flames

    Firefighters work to extinguish flames engulfing a home as a brush fire rages in Pacific Palisades, CaliforniaGetty Images

    We're now seeing some dramatic pictures of firefighters struggling to contain the flames engulfing at least one home in Pacific Palisades, California, where a fast-moving brush fire is continuing to rage through the Los Angeles suburb.

    Firefighters extinguish flames of a fire from the roof of a house that was ablaze.Getty Images

  8. 'Truly apocalyptic': BBC employee prepares to evacuate as flames spread

    Lucy Sheriff, a BBC employee, wears a face mask and is preparing to evacuate the blaze

    Lucy Sheriff, a BBC employee, is preparing to evacuate the blaze

    We've just checked in with Lucy Sheriff, a BBC employee who lives in the Pacific Palisades area and who is preparing to evacuate. She is safe and in touch with fire officials outside her home.

    "I'm still at home although the entire Palisades area has been ordered to evacuate. The roads are gridlocked and people aren't able to even move on the roads. I'm waiting to see... before I leave.

    "I've packed up a bag so I can go whenever I need to. It's been unnerving how quickly the fire developed. At around 10:30, I noticed a bit of smoke coming from the mountains and then about an hour later it was billowing in huge clouds.

    "A neighbour offered me a K95 mask to breathe through the thick smoke and ash.

    "The scene is truly apocalyptic - bright red sun, grey sky and ash falling everywhere. I spoke to a Los Angeles police officer who said there wasn't a lot of clarity about what was happening due to the speed at which the fire has been spreading. Some people are staying behind and trying to hose down houses to try to protect them.

    The frustration and fear is palpable

    Smoke billows into the air

  9. Fire grows to more than 300 acres as evacuation ordered for all of Pacific Palisades
    Breaking

    The Palisades Fire is now at 300 acres "and growing", according to fire officials.

    The fire is growing at an alarming rate, given that it was only 20 acres only a few hours ago.

    We're now seeing images of flames consuming buildings and vehicles in areas where evacuations are still under way.

    An evacuation order has been issued for all of Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.

  10. Local resident: 'Fire came almost out of nowhere'

    Krishan Chaudry, who lives near the fire, said he could see the flames burning from his backyard.

    The fire appeared very suddenly, he told CBS News, the BBC's US partner.

    "This happened just spur of the moment," Chaudry said.

    "We were just looking at the smoke, and then all of a sudden, we saw fire everywhere."

  11. Van catches fire on evacuation route

    A small van burns after catching fire while the driver was trying to evacuate the Palisades wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California, USA, 07 January 2025. According to the National Weather Service, large portions of the Los Angeles area are under extreme wildfire risk from 07 to 08 January due to high winds and dry conditions. Palisades Wildfire in Los Angeles, CaliforniaEPA

    Moments ago we mentioned that people were leaving their cars as they fled the wildfire.

    Now a new photo shows a small van burning after the driver reportedly left it behind while evacuating the Palisades wildfire.

  12. Fire crews work to stop blaze as smoke rises over city

    Photos are now emerging of the wildfire threatening Los Angeles residents.

    Planes can be seen dropping fire retardant into the mountains as the smoke rises over the iconic Santa Monica pier.

    A plane drops fire retardant on a fireReuters
    A silhouette of a firefighterGetty Images
    An orange sky over a home in the PalisadesGetty Images
    Smoke seen over the Santa Monica pierGetty Images
    A man in a wheelchair is evacuatedEPA

  13. Smoke towers over LA neighbourhood

    Smoke from rapid-growing wildfire towers over LA neighbourhood

  14. People have deserted their cars while trying to flee

    Christal Hayes
    Reporting from Los Angeles

    Footage on local news here in Los Angeles is showing people have deserted their vehicles to evacuate the area as flames approach.

    Video on KTLA showed reporter Gene Kang on Palisades Drive with a line of vehicles left abandoned with their keys still inside, a wall of flames seen scorching the area in the background.

    The reporter remarked that the vehicles were trying to get down to the Pacific Coast Highway - the main road in and out of the area.

    Then the flames, which were burning next to the road, moved closer.

    "Okay we're going to have to be careful," the reporter remarks, noting how quickly the fire is moving toward them. "We've got to go."

  15. The latest from fire officials: 'This is a very serious situation'

    Christal Hayes
    Reporting from Los Angeles

    People watch the fire from a balconyGetty Images

    Los Angeles fire officials say the blaze is still continuing to burn and has reached 200 acres.

    Margaret Stewart, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department, told the BBC that winds of 50mph are whipping up the blaze and moving embers miles away - which is allowing spot fires to start throughout the area.

    "This is a significant fire in heavy brush that hasn't burned," she says. "The challenge we face is these are deep, isolated hills and there's a high density of people in the area."

    She noted the department was able to place resources throughout the region before the windstorm started because they knew the threat.

    "This is a very serious situation," she adds.

  16. National Weather Service warns of fire conditions 'as bad as it gets'

    Firefighters run to save homes from burningGetty Images

    Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Erik Scott spoke to local broadcaster KCAL-TV today, warning that the winds could bring "explosive wildfire behaviour plus toppling trees and downed wires".

    In a post on Facebook, the fire department noted that the US National Weather Service (NWS) is describing the situation as a "life threatening and destructive wind storm".

    In a post yesterday, the NWS office in Los Angeles warned residents "this is about as bad as it gets in terms of fire weather".

    "Stay aware of your surroundings. Be ready to evacuate, especially if in a high fire risk area. Be careful with fire sources."

  17. Why this area is particularly at risk for fires

    Christal Hayes
    Reporting from Los Angeles

    Smoke rises from a wildfire burning near Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles during a weather driven windstorm, in Los AngelesReuters

    Smoke rises from a wildfire burning near Pacific Palisades

    A fierce Santa Ana windstorm was forecast to bring gusts as strong as 80-100mph (128-160km/h) to the Los Angeles region today.

    Those who live here in LA are used to hearing the term Santa Ana winds, which are strong, dry winds that originate from more inland, but the fierce winds coupled with dry conditions and low-humidity has created the perfect recipe for fires to ignite and grow at a rapid pace.

    Officials throughout the region had been warning residents about the fire threat and emergency crews have stationed equipment and personnel throughout the region.

    The region where the fire broke out is along the brush in a mountainous area that hangs over a densely populated region in the Pacific Palisades. It borders numerous communities and the popular Will Rogers State Beach.

    The area is notoriously difficult to access as the main route in and out is through the Pacific Coast Highway, which could make evacuations difficult.

  18. Water bomber battles blaze

    A water bomber aircraft picks up water from the Pacific Ocean, as a wildfire breaks-out near Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles during a weather driven windstorm in Southern CaliforniaReuters

    Firefighters are trying to slow down the Palisades blaze.

    In the photo above, a water bomber aircraft can be seen picking up water from the Pacific Ocean.

    The California Governor's office has brought in additional resources ahead of today's weather, including 45 more fire engines and five helicopters.

  19. Fire near Los Angeles grows to 200 acres

    Christal Hayes
    Reporting from Los Angeles

    Smoke rises from a wildfire burning on hills near Pacific Palisades, with homes and buildings in the foreground and very close to the fire.Reuters

    A fire burning in the mountains near the Pacific Palisades, a community near Malibu and Santa Monica, has grown at an alarming rate.

    Officials say the blaze grew from 20 acres to more than 200 acres in about 20 minutes after it was reported about 10:30 local time, placing communities under evacuation as a thick, heavy smoke hung over the region.

    The growth has been fuelled by a fierce wind event that has placed a large portion of the state under a red flag warning - which warns of a high fire risk.

    Wind gusts of more than 80mph (126km/h) have been whipping through Southern California.