Two fast-moving wildfires erupted on Tuesday in Southern California, wreaking havoc northeast of Los Angeles in Altadena and in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The blazes destroyed homes, forced tens of thousands to evacuate, and left emergency services scrambling to contain the devastation.

The Eaton fire ignited near a nature reserve in Altadena around 6:30 p.m., spreading rapidly and forcing the emergency evacuation of a senior care facility. Staff wheeled dozens of residents in hospital beds and wheelchairs to a parking lot, where they waited in their nightclothes for assistance as flames approached.

Earlier in the day, a separate wildfire broke out in Pacific Palisades, fueled by winds exceeding 60 mph (97 km/h). The fire raged uncontrollably through the night, consuming homes and creating chaotic scenes as residents fled. Strong winds grounded firefighting aircraft, leaving ground crews struggling to battle the flames.

Evacuation routes in Pacific Palisades became gridlocked as panicked residents abandoned their vehicles, some fleeing on foot with suitcases, pets, and children. Emergency vehicles were delayed by the traffic, prompting the deployment of a bulldozer to clear abandoned cars and create access for fire crews.

Governor Gavin Newsom, who was in Southern California for a separate event, visited the area and described the devastation, noting that many structures had already been lost. He declared a state of emergency, warning that the fires could intensify further.

The Pacific Palisades fire scorched approximately 4.6 square miles (11.6 square kilometers) and was visible across Los Angeles, including from Venice Beach, six miles away. Over 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders, with 13,000 properties at risk. The fire’s intensity was driven by a severe Santa Ana windstorm, with gusts potentially reaching 100 mph (160 km/h), the strongest in over a decade.

By Tuesday evening, over 28,000 households were without power, with preemptive shutoffs affecting 15,000 utility customers to prevent sparks from equipment. In total, half a million customers were at risk of losing power.

Residents recounted terrifying escapes. Kelsey Trainor, a local, described how the fire jumped across roads, trapping evacuees. Some residents, unable to escape by car due to blocked roads, awaited rescue by emergency personnel.

Longtime resident Will Adams shared his experience of hearing explosions and watching the sky darken as flames engulfed the neighborhood. Actor James Woods posted footage of the fire near his home, while fellow actor Steve Guttenberg urged evacuees to leave their car keys behind to allow access for fire trucks.

Pacific Palisades, known for its expensive homes and gated communities, saw several high-value properties impacted. Emergency services continued to work tirelessly to clear roads, assist evacuees, and protect remaining structures.

The wildfires are part of a series of blazes across the region, with major roadways like Interstate 10 and the Pacific Coast Highway closed to facilitate evacuations. As Southern California battles these devastating fires, authorities warn that the danger is far from over.