Homes burning in Los Angeles area as brush fire threatens Pacific Palisades

A brush fire that quickly swelled to about 200 acres amid a strong windstorm in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday morning is burning homes.

There are reports from the scene of multiple structures burning, with wind-driven embers creating new fires.

At least one home, on Lachman Lane, was fully engulfed, CBS Los Angeles reported at 11:43 am

• Also see: This map shows where the Palisades fire is burning in Pacific Palisades

The fire was reported around 10:30 am in the area of ​​Piedra Morada and Monte Hermoso drives, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson David Ortiz.

Evacuation warnings are in place for an unknown number of structures in the vicinity, with crews on scene requesting evacuations for the entire area down to Pacific Coast Highway. Fire officials say evacuation warnings are in place from Topanga Canyon on the west to Rustic Canyon on the east.

Eastbound Pacific Coast Highway was closed at Topanga Canyon Boulevard as of noon.

Unconfirmed reports indicated that several structures had already burned by midday. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The rising Pacific Palisades fire plume is seen through the Sepulveda Pass in Brentwood during high winds on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

A fast moving fire fueled by heavy winds and brush moved through the Pacific Palisades ares of Los Angeles Tuesday morning Jan. 7, 2025 as seen from Rocket Ship Park in Torrance. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)

Heavy smoke from a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades rises over the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)

Show Caption

1 of 3

The rising Pacific Palisades fire plume is seen through the Sepulveda Pass in Brentwood during high winds on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Expand

Dark gray smoke could be seen from the Santa Monica pier. Air tankers were making drops as firefighters from the area rushed to the scene.

“We were just looking at the smoke. All of a sudden we saw fire everywhere,” resident Krishan Chaudry told CBS Los Angeles.

The wind was blowing near Pacific Palisades at 46 mph, CBS reported, with embers landing on neighborhoods miles away.

The fire erupted amid Santa Ana winds that forecasters said could develop into the worst windstorm in the Southland in a decade. Red flag warnings of critical fire danger were expected to remain in place until Thursday evening.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement around noon: “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 LA”

This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.

City News Service contributed to this report.