New California wildfire prompts evacuations in Pasadena, Altadena

A new wildfire erupted in Los Angeles County on Tuesday night near Pasadena and Altadena as firefighters continue battling the inferno in Pacific Palisades that quickly ballooned amid punishing Santa Ana winds.

Why It Matters

The wildfires on Tuesday have prompted large areas of evacuations across the county as thousands of acres have been engulfed. The newest fire near Pasadena is called the "Eaton Fire," and as of 8:28 p.m. Pacific Time had rapidly grown to encompass 400 acres.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (DFFP) has posted the evacuation zone related to the Eaton Fire in its alert. According to officials, the cause of this blaze is "under investigation."

What To Know

The Eaton Fire is near Altadena and Midwick drives, according to the DFFP. Firefighters warn that "high winds are driving rapid fire growth, posing a significant threat to nearby communities and making containment efforts challenging."

As of 8:28 p.m., the fire had been zero percent contained. DFFP officials said in their latest update that they were "working aggressively to slow the spread and protect critical infrastructure under extreme conditions."

"The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion. Residents are urged to remain alert and follow instructions from local authorities as the situation evolves," the alert says.

The Palisades fire has spread across more than 2,900 acres, according to the DFFP, and the cause of this blaze is also under investigation.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a state of emergency for areas affected by the Palisades fire, according to a Tuesday post on X, formerly Twitter.

When reached for comment, Newsom's office referred Newsweek to a previous statement and a news conference held by the governor earlier in the day.

What People Are Saying

Antony Farnell, chief meteorologist for Canada's Global News, while sharing news footage of people evacuating Altadena alongside horses in a post to X, formerly Twitter: "Watching the live coverage of the Los Angeles fires and can't believe what I'm seeing. It's going to be a very long night. #eatonfire #PalisadesFire"

Weather analyst and storm chaser Colin McCarthy, on X: "The #EatonFire is growing at an extreme rate with winds gusting between 65-85 mph making it impossible for the fire to be stopped. If you are in the path of this wildfire in the Eaton Park area evacuate!"

Newsom, in a statement after declaring a state of emergency due to the Palisades fire: "This is a highly dangerous windstorm that's creating extreme fire risk – and we're not out of the woods. We're already seeing the destructive impacts with this fire in Pacific Palisades that grew rapidly in a matter of minutes.

"Our deepest thanks go to our expert firefighters and first responders who jumped quickly into fighting this dangerous fire. If you're in Southern California, please pay attention to weather reports and follow any guidance from emergency officials."

What Happens Next

While firefighters and emergency workers were responding to both the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires late Tuesday night, powerful winds continued spreading the blazes at a dizzying pace. Officials were expected to continue prioritizing the safe evacuation of residents overnight.