DeKalb GA News

Evacuations were in progress as a wildfire spread uncontrollably through Pacific Palisades, California, on Tuesday. The fire has expanded to over 2,900 acres, according to The Los Angeles Times. AccuWeather reported wind gusts reaching up to 65 miles per hour in Southern California and anticipated speeds of up to 80 miles per hour overnight.

Videos shared on social media depicted a 'fire tornado' and showed residents evacuating the area. Jon Michael Raasch posted, "A friend who lives in Pacific Palisades sent me these horrific videos of the fire. He just evacuated and said traffic was so bad people abandoned their cars."

California Governor Gavin Newsom was present at the scene for a briefing with CAL FIRE officials regarding the #PalisadesFire. He advised affected Californians to "stay alert and follow evacuation orders from local authorities."

Traffic congestion forced fleeing residents to leave their vehicles behind, as reported by KTLA. Jon Michael Raasch tweeted, "On Sunset Blvd. Abandoned cars are being bulldozed out of the way to make room for emergency vehicles."

Fox LA reporter Matthew Seedorff noted difficulties faced by firefighters due to low water pressure on Lachman Lane in Pacific Palisades. "The hydrants are currently dry," Fox LA reported.

Seedorff's updates indicated that multiple homes were burning as winds exceeded 65 miles per hour. He stated, "This fire is out of control and ripping through Pacific Palisades, CA. At least 20 homes destroyed from what I’ve seen, but maybe more."

Seedorff also shared his observations from Radcliffe Ave: "Devastation all around. I’ve lost count of the number of buildings we’ve seen on fire."