The Eaton Fire started around 6:30 PM in Altadena as powerful Santa Ana winds battered Southern California. The blaze prompted numerous evacuation orders throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
Early Wednesday, flames engulfed the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center in Pasadena early Wednesday, completely destroying the house of worship as the Eaton Fire spread to about 1,000 acres.
??????????? ????????? | The Pasadena Jewish Temple, a Conservative Synagogue in the city of Pasadena, has been destroyed by the wildfires currently burning out of control in Southern California.
Additionally, the Chabad building in the Pacific Pallisades area… pic.twitter.com/QsqgrfAlwj— Jewish News Syndicate (@JNS_org) January 8, 2025
The Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center describes itself on its website as “a vibrant synagogue that embraces tradition, invites innovation, and inspires participation. We are a diverse congregation of all ages, identities, and family constellations. Our sacred space welcomes all who seek to worship, study, and grow their religious, cultural, and social ties to Judaism. Please explore our website to learn more about our community and center.”
PALISADES FIRE | 2921 acres 0% containment. Extreme fire behavior, short & long-range spotting, continues to challenge firefighting efforts for the Palisades Fire. Winds gusts up to 60 MPH are expected to continue through Thursday. pic.twitter.com/QHKIh6u6FD
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) January 8, 2025
Firefighters fought the wind-driven inferno, which triggered evacuation orders and warnings across the San Gabriel Valley. Alex Fernandez, a member of the congregation, told News 4 in Los Angeles: “I feel numb to it. It feels like a horrible nightmare to see it gone. This entire place is burning down.”
The Los Angeles County Fire Department provided an update late Tuesday night on the rapidly spreading Palisades Fire, which has forced tens of thousands to evacuate due to the immediate threat to life.
By Wednesday morning, the fire had scorched more than 2,921 acres and was completely uncontained. LA County firefighters are also battling the Eaton Fire and Sylmar Fire, both of which remain at zero percent containment.
The fires are advancing at an alarming rate, spreading across roughly five football fields per minute, making it extremely difficult for firefighters to contain the blaze in densely populated areas, according to Fox News.
Strong Santa Ana winds, reaching up to 80 mph, are fueling the flames, with gusts expected to continue at up to 60 mph through Thursday.
#BREAKING Chabad of the Pacific Palisades has safely evacuated all the Torahs from their building.#PalisadesFire pic.twitter.com/A5ngbIbigH
— Frum TikTok (@FrumTikTok) January 8, 2025
