A massive and fast-moving brushfire has ignited in Pasadena, California, forcing evacuations in the city of 150,000 residents. This new blaze, known as the Eaton Fire, comes as firefighters are already battling a devastating inferno in the Pacific Palisades, which has led to over 30,000 evacuations and widespread destruction of buildings.
The Eaton Fire has already consumed hundreds of acres as it rages through the Angeles National Forest near Altadena and Pasadena on Tuesday night. Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and heightened fire risk, it marks the second major blaze to erupt in the Los Angeles area.
The fire started around 6 p.m. local time in Eaton Canyon near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive, according to CBS Los Angeles. Within two hours, it rapidly grew to over 400 acres, burning through brush and spreading uphill, as confirmed by the Angeles National Forest on X. Pasadena fire officials report that strong winds are causing the fire to behave unpredictably, putting numerous structures at risk, according to city spokesperson Lisa Derderian. Emergency crews are actively evacuating residents, establishing emergency response centers, and assisting vulnerable populations, including hospital patients and the elderly.