James Woods Films Flames Engulfing Neighbor's Home

Heavy smoke from a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades rises over the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

AP Photo/Eugene Garcia

Actor James Woods was among the residents of the Pacific Palisades fleeing their homes on Tuesday as high winds whipped up a fast-moving fire just west of Los Angeles.

Woods shared a clip of his neighbor’s home engulfed in flames on X on Tuesday afternoon and wrote, “leaving.”

We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well. We are safe and out. There are several elementary schools in our neighborhood and there was an enormous community effort to evacuate the children safely. Can not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD. pic.twitter.com/bdsSJmvQel

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025

The fire began in the Santa Monica Mountains late Tuesday morning and “quickly exploded to 200 acres within an hour,” reported Fox Weather, adding:

Live cameras from the state’s Alert California network showed a massive smoke plume billowing from the burning hillside near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

Evacuations are underway and residents near the fire are being told to “leave now” as winds gust to 50-60 mph. Homes are under immediate threat, according to LAFD.

Storm chaser Colin McCarthy explained the perfect storm of conditions that led to the dangerous conditions fueling the fire.

The #PalisadesFire is absolutely exploding in West LA and is quickly moving toward homes in Pacific Palisades.

Has all the looks of a potential wildland urban interface fire disaster. Evacuate if you are in danger and follow all evacuation orders from local officials. pic.twitter.com/AACLYB6rSS

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) January 7, 2025

This was Southern California in April 2024, after Los Angeles experienced its second-wettest two-year period on record.

Since April, it has barely rained in Southern California, leaving the massive buildup of vegetation bone dry.

Now, one of the strongest Santa Ana wind… pic.twitter.com/Se8Wx0CmMI

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) January 7, 2025

“This was Southern California in April 2024, after Los Angeles experienced its second-wettest two-year period on record. Since April, it has barely rained in Southern California, leaving the massive buildup of vegetation bone dry. Now, one of the strongest Santa Ana wind events in modern history is expected, with winds reaching up to 100 mph. This is essentially a worst-case scenario,” McCarthy wrote.