The Pacific Palisades Fire's Containment Will Have a Lot to Do With Wind—Here's Why

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A fire ripping through a wealthy area of Los Angeles is accompanied by "near worst-case scenario" weather conditions, according to a meteorologist.

Why It Matters

A brush fire broke out in Pacific Palisades, California, around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and quickly spread to encompass 200 acres, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

Amid concerns that strong winds would help spread the fire, mandatory evacuation orders were issued in the affluent area, which is on the coast and in the mountains north of Santa Monica.

What To Know

"It's a near worst-case scenario for #PacificPalisades with 46-55 mph winds pushing a brush fire into multiple neighborhoods. Evacuation ORDERS have just been issued," Paul Deanno, meteorologist for Los Angeles CBS stations KCBS and KCAL, wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter.

The fire struck one day after the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a "red flag warning" for large areas of Southern California due to extreme winds of up to 100 mph predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday.

"This will likely be a life threatening, destructive, and widespread windstorm," NWS said in an alert covering Pacific Palisades and other parts of Los Angeles. "If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, including long range spotting, which would threaten life and property."

Less than two hours after the brush fire began, the LAFD had issued mandatory evacuation orders for a large area extending from the mountainous portion where the fire started to the Pacific Coast Highway, where traffic was shut down in both directions.

At least three schools were forced to temporarily relocate, according to an X post from Los Angeles Unified School District West.

An evacuation center was established to receive fleeing residents and their pets at Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 S. Sepulveda Boulevard.

Newsweek reached out for comment to LAFD via phone on Tuesday.

Pacific Palisades Fire Paul Deanno Worst Case — The Pacific Palisades fire rages in this view from Santa Monica, California, on January 7. As the blaze quickly spread due to heavy winds, meteorologist Paul Deanno called the natural disaster a "near worst-case scenario."... Jason Nuckolls/Newsweek

What People Are Saying

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, in a post to X: "In preparation for high winds, LAFD pre-deployed strike teams in and near areas prone to wildfire. Firefighters are now actively and aggressively responding to the #PalisadesFire with support from regional partners. Angelenos in the area are urged to heed evacuation warnings and follow direction from public safety officials. Due to increasing winds, this is a very dangerous situation. Sign up for @NotifyLA alerts and follow @LAFD for updated information — stay safe L.A."

Actor James Woods, a Pacific Palisades resident, while sharing a video of the fire to X: "We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well. We are safe and out. There are several elementary schools in our neighborhood and there was an enormous community effort to evacuate the children safely. Can not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD."

What Happens Next

Firefighters and emergency responders were working to contain the fire and assist with evacuation efforts as of Tuesday afternoon. LAFD was planning to hold a news conference at an undetermined time later in the day.