Wildfires Prompt Mass Evacuations in Southern California

Southern California is facing a severe wildfire crisis, with three major fires—Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst—prompting mass evacuations and state of emergency declarations. The Palisades Fire has consumed over 2,900 acres with no containment, affecting areas like Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Brentwood, and forcing approximately 30,000 residents to evacuate. The Eaton Fire near Altadena has rapidly spread, leading to evacuations in Pasadena, while the Hurst Fire in Sylmar has also prompted urgent evacuation orders. The intense Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching up to 100 mph, are exacerbating the fire conditions and hampering firefighting efforts, including air support. Officials are urging immediate evacuations due to the threat to life and property, as chaotic scenes unfold with residents abandoning vehicles in their haste to escape. California Governor Gavin Newsom has observed the devastation firsthand, noting significant damage but withholding specific figures on destroyed structures.