Pasadena issues urgent unsafe water warning amid fire concerns
From CNN’s Hanna Park
A burned-out car sits among rubble in the downtown Altadena section of Pasadena, California, on January 8. Chris Pizzello/AP
The City of Pasadena has issued an urgent alert concerning unsafe drinking water in areas impacted by recent evacuations due to the Eaton Fire.
The Pasadena Water and Power system may be compromised by “debris and elevated turbidity,” prompting officials to advise residents against consuming tap water, according to a statement from the city.
Residents are advised to rely solely on bottled water for all consumption, including drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth and pet care. Attempts to treat the water — whether through boiling, filtering, or adding disinfectants — are deemed ineffective and unsafe.
Pasadena Water and Power will monitor the situation and provide any updates, according to the statement. The timeline for resolution remains uncertain, dependent on the ongoing fire and wind conditions.
Here is where the major fires in the Los Angeles area stand
From CNN staff
Firefighters work from a deck as the Palisades Fire burns a beach front property in Malibu, California on Wednesday. Etienne Laurent/AP
Firefighters have spent days doing whatever possible to fight fires across the county as strong winds and low humidity made for difficult conditions.
Here is where the fires stand, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection:
Palisades Fire: At least 15,832 acres and 0% contained.
Eaton Fire: At least 10,600 acres and 0% contained.
Hurst Fire: At least 855 acres and 10% contained.
Lidia Fire: At least 348 acres and 40% contained.
Sunset Fire: At least 60 acres and 0% contained.
With wind speeds easing, helicopters were able to get back in the air and drop water and fire retardants on Wednesday in an effort to contain the fires and protect property, having previously been disrupted by high winds.
Studio City fire quickly contained, preventing damage to nearby homes
From CNN’s Hanna Park and Josh Campbell
A building goes up in flames in the Studio City neighborhood, northwest of Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. KCBS/KCAL
A fire erupted late Wednesday night within a Studio City residence, extending to nearby structures before being put out by firefighters.
The blaze ignited around 8:52 p.m. at a four-story house located at 3656 N. Sunswept Drive, and quickly spread to adjacent brush, prompting a swift response from over 50 firefighters, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
By 10:00 p.m., they had knocked down the blaze, which created small spot fires and caused damage to neighboring buildings. No injuries were reported.
The fire initially damaged the stilts supporting one of the homes leading it to collapse onto the hillside, according to CNN affiliate KCAL/KCBS. Embers scattered onto the adjacent brush as crews worked swiftly to extinguish them with water.
Aerial footage from CNN affiliate KABC shows two neighboring structures ablaze as multiple fire department ground units douse the buildings with water. KABC’s aerial pilots have also reported a smaller fire approximately one hundred yards away from the original Studio City incident.
“Everyone keeps saying ‘apocalyptic,’ but that doesn’t begin to cover it,” CNN reporter says from Pacific Palisades
From CNN’s Karina Tsui
Homes and businesses along the Pacific Coast Highway near Tuna Canyon, California on October 20, 2024.Maxar Technologies
Homes and businesses along the Pacific Coast Highway near Tuna Canyon on January 8, 2025, after the Palisades fire broke out.Maxar Technologies
The Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades has been completely evacuated and is now a “ghost town,” CNN’s Leigh Waldman reported from the scene. “Everyone keeps saying ‘apocalyptic,’ but that doesn’t begin to cover it.”
Waldman told CNN’s Polo Sandoval that a few hours ago, an art gallery and another business in the affluent area were still standing –– now, they are left in rubble.
Firefighting crews from Nevada have been deployed to help California rescuers but crews are spread “so incredibly thin,” she said, adding that winds were too aggressive Wednesday morning for an effective aerial response.
With a clear emphasis on prioritizing lives and homes, Waldman said, places of work “simply can’t be spared,” leaving people’s “livelihoods in ruins.”
“Thankfully, we haven’t been able to talk to anyone because they’ve gotten somewhere safe.”
“It is chaotic,” says Sunset Fire evacuee as residents flee Hollywood Hills
From CNN’s Isaac Yee
This screenshot from a video taken at Sunset Boulevard shows rows of vehicles leaving the area as first responders rush to the scene. Scott Dill
An evacuee racing away from the Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills described the situation to CNN Wednesday night as “chaotic.”
“Traffic is jammed to fire trucks and police vehicles as well as people trying to leave,” Scott Dill told CNN.
Videos taken by Dill on Sunset Boulevard show rows of vehicles leaving the area as first responders rush to the scene. In other videos shared by Dill, bright orange flames can be seen lighting up the night sky.
Dill – who is now sheltering at a friend’s house – said he and his neighbors started evacuating before they received alerts on their phones.
“We could see flames and smoke from our building,” he said, adding that he saw helicopters and other aircraft dropping water on the fire.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a Wednesday night post on social media, “We are deploying LAPD officers to respond to Hollywood to help alleviate evacuation traffic. We are working urgently to close roads, redirect traffic and expand access for LAFD vehicles to respond to the growing fire.”
The area is home to several attractions for visiting tourists, including the TCL Chinese Theatre and part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
