Day 5 Nightmare: Palisades Fire Prompts New Evacuations as LA Wildfires Reach 37,000 Acres

The Los Angeles area is facing massive wildfires tearing through mountains and neighborhoods. These fires may become the most expensive disaster in California’s history.

On Friday night, authorities expanded the evacuation zone for the Palisades Fire toward Santa Monica, just 1.5 miles from the Santa Monica Pier. The zone now includes the Getty Center, home to the Getty Museum.

Over 150,000 people have been told to leave their homes, and 166,000 more have been warned to be ready. The fires have burned over 37,000 acres, and 11 people have died, according to officials.

At a press conference, officials said the Eaton Fire, one of the largest at 14,000 acres, might not spread much this weekend due to calmer winds. However, they warned that strong winds are expected next week, which could worsen the fires. Earlier this week, winds of 90 miles per hour fueled the rapid spread.

JPMorgan estimates the fires could cause $20 billion in insured losses and $50 billion in total damages. This would surpass the 2018 Camp Fire, which caused $10 billion in insured losses.

Thick smoke surrounds Los Angeles, giving the city an apocalyptic feel. District Attorney Nathan Hochman compared the situation to past disasters, such as the 1990s fires and earthquakes.

There were also false emergency alerts, causing more panic. The Los Angeles emergency team apologized and is working to fix the issue. They asked residents not to disable emergency alerts on their phones.

On Thursday, the FAA warned against flying drones in firefighting zones after a drone damaged a firefighting plane.

Satellite images show the destruction caused by the fires. Starlink, Elon Musk’s internet service, is helping people stay connected during the disaster.

Here are updates on the main fires:

The Palisades Fire started Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, north of Santa Monica. It has burned 21,000 acres, with only 8% contained. Five people have died, and over 5,300 structures have been damaged or destroyed. Officials are investigating the fire’s cause.

Some celebrities, including Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal, lost their homes. On Thursday, a drone hit a firefighting plane’s wing, delaying its repairs until Monday.

The Eaton Fire started Tuesday night near Pasadena. It has burned 14,000 acres and is only 3% contained. Six people have died, and 7,000 structures are damaged or destroyed. The fire is moving toward Mount Wilson, home to communication towers. The cause is still unknown.

The Hurst Fire began late Tuesday in the San Fernando Valley, burning 771 acres. It is 70% contained, and evacuation orders have been lifted.

A brush fire broke out Thursday near the Los Angeles-Ventura County border. It burned 1,000 acres and is 50% contained. A possible arson suspect has been detained.

The Sunset Fire burned 40 acres in Runyon Canyon but has been contained. Fires in Studio City, Acton, and the San Fernando Valley have also been stopped or are nearly contained.

Events across Los Angeles have been canceled, including the Critics’ Choice Awards, Lakers games, and concerts. Flights at LAX and other airports have been delayed. Tourist spots like the Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, and Universal Studios have closed.

California’s ongoing insurance crisis is worsening. Companies like State Farm have stopped issuing new home insurance policies in the state, and costs for existing insurance have skyrocketed. Some homeowners may have to rebuild without insurance payouts as wildfire risks increase.