State of emergency declared as Pacific Palisades wildfire consumes 2,900 acres

In early January 2025, Southern California faced a series of devastating wildfires affecting the Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas. The blazes, fueled by ferocious winds, forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents and resulted in substantial property damage. Local officials reported that these fires had burned over 17,000 acres; specifically, the Pacific Palisades fire alone threatened more than 10,000 homes. In response to this growing crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on January 7, allowing local agencies to seek federal funding to combat the fires and assist affected residents.