US: Emergency crews continue to respond to wildfires in Los Angeles County, CA, late Jan. 8 /update 5

Emergency crews are continuing to work to contain three major wildfires and several other smaller fires burning in Los Angeles County, California, as of late Jan. 8. The blazes are spreading rapidly amid very strong winds, which are forecast to continue through at least late Jan. 8. Authorities confirmed that more than 1,000 structures were burned by the Palisades Fire and at least five people have been killed in and around Altadena and Pasadena by the fires. At least 100,000 residents evacuated their homes due to the rapid spread of the fires. However, traffic congestion from the wildfires hampered evacuation efforts. Authorities deployed more than 1,400 firefighters to tackle the blazes. The fires and strong winds also led to power outages in some areas, with at least 300,000 people without power in southern California as power companies have implemented emergency shutdowns. Authorities declared a state of emergency due to the fires. President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for California. Air quality alerts are in place across much of southwestern California. Multiple school districts canceled classes; all schools within Pasadena Unified School District are closed Jan. 8.

Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire broke out southeast of Palisades Drive at around 10:30 Jan. 7, impacting areas such as Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Santa Monica. As of late Jan. 8, the fire burned to around 6,407 hectares (15,832 acres) and was 0-percent contained. Authorities issued evacuation orders for more than 30,000 residents in the following zones: DRY-U026-A, LOS-Q0767, MAL-C111-A, MAL-C111-B, MAL-C112-B, MTN-U028, RMB-U030-A, RMB-U030-B, RMB-U030-D, RRC-U027, SAN-Q1395-B, SAN-Q1396-B, SDP-U029, SSM-U010-A, SSM-U010-B, TOP-U001, TOP-U002, TOP-U003, TOP-U004, TOP-U005, TOP-U006, TOP-U007, TOP-U008, and TOP-U009. Evacuation warnings are in place for zones CAL-C405, CAL-C406, CAL-C407, CAL-C408, CAL-C409, CAL-C410, CAL-C411, CAL-C412, CAL-C413, CAL-C414, CAL-C415, DRY-U026, DRY-U026-B, MAL-C112, MAL-C112-A, MCR-U021-A, RMB-U030-C, SAN-Q1395-A, SAN-Q1396-A, and SAN-Q1388-C. Officials may issue additional evacuation orders and warnings in the coming hours. Authorities have set up emergency shelters at the Westwood Recreation Center, El Camino Real Charter High School, and the Pasadena Convention Center. Several roads in the vicinity of the fire are closed, including parts of the Pacific Coast Highway and Interstate-10. To view the latest updates regarding evacuation orders and road closures, click here.

Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire broke out in the hills above Altadena near Eaton Canyon the evening of Jan. 7, affecting areas such as Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre. The fire burned to around 4,290 hectares (10,600 acres) and was 0-percent contained as of late Jan. 8. Officials issued evacuation orders for more than 52,000 people in connection with the blaze, including those in the following zones: ALD-ARROYOSECO, ALD-CALAVERAS, ALD-CANON, ALD-CASITAS, ALD-CHANEY, ALD-EASTLOMA, ALD-EATONCANYON, ALD-FARNSWORTH, ALD-GARDEN, ALD-GARFIAS, ALD-LAUREL, ALD-MEADOWS, ALD-MENDOCINO, ALD-MIDLOTHIAN, ALD-MILLARD, ALD-MOUNTLOWE, ALD-PALM, ALD-RUBIO, ALD-WAPELLO, ALD-WHITEPARK, ARC-001, ARC-002, ARC-004, GLN-E018, GLN-E027, GLN-E028, GLN-E029, GLN-E030, GLN-E039, GLN-E040, GLN-E041,GLN-E043, GLN-E044, KIN-KINNELOA, LAC-E183, LCF-ALTACANYADA, LCF-BERKSHIRE, LCF-CASTLE, LCF-CIVICCENTER, LCF-COMMONWEALTH, LCF-CREST, LCF-CROWN, LCF-DESCANSO, LCF-FOOTHILLEAST, LCF-FOOTHILLWEST, LCF-HAMPSTEAD, LCF-HILLARD, LCF-INVERNESS, LCF-JPL, LCF-MEMORIAL, LCF-PARADISE, LCF-STARLIGHT, MRV-101, MRV-102, MRV-201, MRV-202, MRV-203, MRV-204, PAS-E001, PAS-E002, PAS-E003, PAS-E006, PAS-E008, PAS-E010, PAS-E012, PAS-E019, PAS-E022, SMD-E001, SMD-E002, SMD-E003, SMD-E004, SMD-E005, SMD-E006, SMD-E007, SMD-E008, SMD-E009, SMD-E010, SMD-E011, SMD-E012, SMD-E013, SMD-E014, SMD-E015, SMD-E016, SMD-E017, and SMD-E019. Evacuation orders are also in effect for the area north of Orange Grove/Rosemead Boulevard, east of Lake Avenue, and west of Michillinda Avenue. Evacuation warnings are in place for surrounding areas, including zones ARC-003, ARC-005, BRA-001, BRA-002, BRA-003, BRA-004, CRV-ALABAMA, CRV-BRIGGSTERRACE, CRV-COMMUNITY, CRV-HENRIETTA, CRV-MONTROSE, CRV-MOUNTAIN, CRV-PINECONE, CRV-TEASLEY, DUA-001, DUA-002, DUA-005, DUA-008, GLN-E001, GLN-E002, GLN-E003, GLN-E004, GLN-E006, GLN-E013, GLN-E017, GLN-E026, GLN-E038, MRV-301, MRV-302, MRV-303, MRV-304, MRV-305, MRV-401, MRV-402, MRV-403, MRV-404, PAS-E004, PAS-E005, PAS-E007, PAS-E009, PAS-E011, PAS-E013, PAS-E014, PAS-E015, PAS-E016, PAS-E017, PAS-E018, PAS-E020, and SMD-E018. Authorities have established an evacuation center at the Arcadia Community Center. In addition, affected residents can access evacuation shelters at the Westwood Recreation Center, El Camino Real Charter High School, and the Pasadena Convention Center, which are also open to those affected by the Palisades Fire. To view the latest information regarding evacuation orders, click here.

Hurst Fire
The Hurst Fire broke out near Diamond Road in Sylmar late Jan. 7, affecting areas such as Sylmar and Granada Hills. The fire grew to around 283 hectares (700 acres) and was 0-percent contained as of late Jan. 8. Authorities issued evacuation orders for zones LAC-E119-B, LAC-E132-B, and LOS-E001, as well as evacuation warnings for zones LAC-E131-B, LAC-E132-A, LOS-Q0412, LOS-Q0449-B, SCL-CALGROVE, SCL-ETERNAL, SCL-NEWHALLPASS, and SCL-WILDWOOD. Officials opened an evacuation shelter at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima. To view the latest information regarding evacuation orders, click here.

Lidia Fire
The Lidia Fire broke out on Soledad Canyon Road in Acton the afternoon of Jan. 8, affecting areas such as Antelope Valley. The fire grew to around 32 hectares (80 acres) and was 30-percent contained as of late Jan. 8. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for zones LAC-E085, LAC-E088, and LAC-E123, as well as evacuation warnings for zones LAC-E078, LAC-E081, LAC-E121, and LAC-E122. Officials opened animal evacuation shelters and closed roads in the vicinity of the fire. To view the latest information regarding evacuation orders, click here.

Sunset Fire
The Sunset Fire broke out on 2300 block Solar Drive in Hollywood Hills the evening of Jan. 8, affecting areas such as Hollywood Hills. The fire grew to around 8 hectares (20 acres) and was 0-percent contained as of late Jan. 8. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for Laurel Canyon Blvd on the west, to Mulholland Dr on the north, to 101 Freeway on the east, and down to Hollywood Blvd on the south. To view the latest information regarding evacuation orders, click here.

Smoke from the fires could worsen air quality in the affected areas over the short term. Depending on the progression of the wildfires, the status of nearby roads could change over the coming hours and days. Authorities will probably close routes within the wildfire complexes and evacuate communities depending on fire activity and the needs of response operators. Further power outages are likely in affected areas. Low visibility from smoke and possible ashfall will probably contribute to traffic delays and congestion in the region.