A number of videos have been shared on social media showing the Palisades fire, the most destructive in Los Angeles' history, making its way toward the populated San Fernando Valley with mandatory evacuation orders in place.
Why It Matters
The Palisades fire continued moving north overnight, placing the San Fernando Valley in direct danger. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Palisades fire, the largest of a number burning to the north and west of Los Angeles has already ripped across over 21,500 acres with 11 percent containment as of Saturday morning.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data in 2020, the San Fernando Valley census county division had a population of 1,836,142 meaning the inferno could threaten more lives and livelihoods if it continues on its current trajectory.
What To Know
Late on Friday, local network KTLA shared aerial footage on X, formerly Twitter, showing the Palisades fire making its way north toward the San Fernando Valley.
KTLA reporter Gil Leyvas reported the inferno was "maybe only a couple of miles away" from Braemar Country Club and said authorities had put a "big line of fire retardant along Mulholland Drive" in a bid to slow its progress towards the San Fernando Valley.
ABC7 helicopter reporter Chris Cristi shared a still photograph of the Palisades Fire on X, commenting: "The #PalisadesFire is burning in the hills between Brentwood and Encino. The wind very light and the forward progress of the north flank has almost stopped. The fire has not crossed into the San Fernando Valley, and is nearly stationary west of Mandeville Canyon Rd."
The #PalisadesFire is burning in the hills between Brentwood and Encino. The wind very light and the forward progress of the north flank has almost stopped. The fire has not crossed into the San Fernando Valley, and is nearly stationary west of Mandeville Canyon Rd. pic.twitter.com/Ie8NBtmsxB
— Chris Cristi (@abc7chriscristi) January 11, 2025Recently elected House Democrat Luz Rivas also shared a photograph of the fire, commenting: "View from North Hollywood of the #PalisadesFire that's extending into the San Fernando Valley [crying face emoji]."
Another X user from California posted a video of the fire advancing on X, adding: "Ugh the fire is moving into the San Fernando Valley [broken heart emoji]. With evacuations in Encino and Tarzana. This is so scary."
On Friday, the official death toll for the Los Angeles wildfires increased to 11, though President Biden warned this is likely to rise as there are "still a lot of people who are unaccounted for."
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday urged President-elect Donald Trump, who has blamed him for the disaster, to personally visit the Los Angeles disaster area to "understand the magnitude" of what had taken place.
What People Are Saying
Referring to the area around Mulholland Drive where authorities were dropping slurry lines, Sky5 reporter Gil Leyvas said: "They anticipate the fire reaching this point. That has a lot of people in the San Fernando Valley worried. The fire is uncomfortably close."
In an update, CAL FIRE said: "The Palisades fire continues to exhibit wind-driven and topographic runs upslope. Short-range spotting is still observed. On Saturday, typical mid-January conditions are expected.
"Sunday and continuing through the middle of next week, weak to moderate Santa Ana winds are expected. There is a chance of strong winds Tuesday. There will continue to be a high likelihood of critical fire weather conditions through next week."
On X, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote: "A Mandatory Evacuation Order is immediately in effect for the #PalisadesFire from: Sunset Blvd North to Encino Reservoir. From the 405 Freeway West to Mandeville Canyon.
"This area was in an Evacuation Warning and is now an immediate Evacuation Order."
What Happens Next
ABC 7 News reported that Los Angeles is likely to be hit by a "new wind event" on Saturday night, with wind speeds up between 20 and 40 miles per hour before it dissipates on Sunday. This could further hamper efforts to contain the ongoing wildfires.
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