Shawn Hubler

WASHINGTON — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was hospitalized Friday after being injured while traveling abroad with a bipartisan congressional delegation to Luxembourg, a spokesperson said Friday.

Parts of Santa Monica were ordered to be evacuated as fast-moving flames destroyed homes along the coast in Los Angeles. Officials warned that winds would pick up overnight, fueling the fire.

Thousands of people fled their homes as at least four fires engulfed parts of the Los Angeles area. Officials said they feared that wind gusts overnight would spread the flames to more densely populated neighborhoods.

The closures included a section of the storied Pacific Coast Highway that runs through Pacific Palisades, the site of the largest fire.

In a furious assault, a wind-and-wildfire monster attacked a metropolis of 4,753 miles and nearly 10 million people, whipping up flames that tore through communities of every status.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said he wanted answers from officials over the loss of water supply and pressure. The fires have killed 11 people and forced tens of thousands from their homes. At least 18 people have been arrested on charges including identity theft and looting.

The largest of the blazes expanded east on Friday, even as wind speeds, which fueled the initial blaze, fell to normal levels.

Officials had hoped that a drop in wind speeds would help firefighters. But dry terrain helped the giant Palisades blaze grow, leading to more evacuation orders.

Three years ago, when Kristin Crowley became the first female chief in the history of the Los Angeles Fire Department, she was lauded as a force for stability.