Brush Fire Ignites in Eaton Canyon Amid Strong Winds in Southern California

A brush fire erupted Tuesday night in the Eaton Canyon area north of Altadena, California, as Southern California prepared for a night of intense winds. The Close Fire, estimated at about 20 acres, was reported at approximately 6:30 p.m. in the foothill community northeast of Los Angeles.

“With the wind, it’s going to grow quickly, I’m afraid,” said LA County Fire Capt. Sheila Kelliher. The blaze comes as red flag warnings remain in effect through Thursday, with wind gusts of 60 mph to 80 mph expected in some areas. The strongest winds are forecasted between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday.

The fire broke out near Eaton Canyon, a popular hiking destination, though the exact location remains unclear. Pasadena spokeswoman Lisa Derderian confirmed the fire’s size but did not provide additional details about its origin or containment efforts. Fire officials are on the scene, working to prevent the flames from spreading further.

This incident follows another destructive fire earlier Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, which burned homes and forced tens of thousands to evacuate as it grew to more than 1,200 acres. The combination of dry conditions and strong Santa Ana winds has created a high-risk environment for wildfires across the region.

Residents in the area are urged to stay alert and prepare for potential evacuations as firefighting efforts continue. The Los Angeles Times will provide updates as more information becomes available.