15 hours ago
Last Updated:January 09, 2025, 00:09 IST
Los Angeles wildfire news: Authorities have told people in the Los Angeles area that at times they should not even wait for an evacuation order but flee if fires rage.
A firefighter works as powerful winds fueling devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area force people to evacuate, at the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
Los Angeles witnessed devastating wildfires that claimed at least two lives and left many seriously injured, officials reported on Wednesday.
The raging blazes have destroyed over 1,000 buildings across the region, displacing tens of thousands of residents from their homes in America’s second-largest city.
In the upscale Pacific Palisades area, hurricane-force winds intensified the situation, propelling fireballs that spread from house to house, engulfing some of California’s most prized real estate in flames.
The Palisades fire, which is burning in the area west of Los Angeles by the sea, has scorched approximately 4.5 square miles (11.6 square kilometers) of land.
This is what’s left of the Pacific Palisades. The mall survived. Most everything else is gone. Homes, apartment complexes… businesses. pic.twitter.com/Vfz721V48J— Jonathan Vigliotti 🐋 (@JonVigliotti) January 8, 2025
It is the biggest blaze and has consumed more than 5,000 acres in the picturesque neighborhood, which lies east of Los Angeles between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu and is home to many film, television and music stars.
Wildfires that ripped through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles forced many Hollywood stars, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods, to evacuate their homes.
Another fire, the Eaton fire, had grown to more than 2,000 acres as it burned some 30 miles (50 km) inland in Altadena, near Pasadena. Two fatalities were reported there, though officials said they did not have further details.
“We are absolutely not out of danger yet, with the strong winds that continue to push through the city and the county today," Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristen Crowley said.
The skies above Los Angeles glowed red and were blanketed by thick smoke as the sun rose on Wednesday.
As the flames spread and residents began evacuating after the fires broke out on Tuesday, roads were so jammed that some people abandoned their vehicles to escape the fire. Emergency responders were going door to door to press evacuation orders.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday.
Location :Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)
First Published:January 08, 2025, 23:24 IST
News world Los Angeles Wildfires: Fireballs Engulf Homes, Upscale Palisades Reduced To Ashes | Videos
