19 hours ago
More than 30,000 people evacuated their homes as a wildfire tore through a coastal area of Los Angeles in just a few hours, and a second blaze some 50 km inland was rapidly spreading on Wednesday. Numerous buildings were destroyed and nearly 3,000 acres were burned in the upscale Pacific Palisades area between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu in California.
A firefighter jumps over a fence while fighting the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. (AP)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 8, 2025 16:32 IST
The Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles has been plunged into horror as a ferocious wildfire, fuelled by strong winds, tore through the area, leaving devastation in its wake. At least 17 people have died in the disaster, with rescue operations underway as officials fear the death toll could rise.
Thousands of residents have been forced to abandon their homes, fleeing on foot or by car as flames closed in.
In Altadena, the Eaton Fire has added to the chaos, with heart-wrenching scenes of senior citizens being evacuated from a care centre, some wheeled out in their chairs amid the rising danger.
Fire crews are locked in an all-out effort to combat the inferno. Helicopters are conducting water drops, and firefighters on the ground are braving life-threatening conditions to try to save homes and lives. One firefighter was captured leaping over a fence to gain access to a blaze, while others hosed down homes being consumed by flames.
Entire streets in Pacific Palisades now lie in ruins, with residents returning to find their homes reduced to ash. Motorcyclists passing through the area documented the apocalyptic aftermath, with once-vibrant communities now eerily silent under a thick veil of smoke.
The rising human toll, combined with the widespread destruction, has left families shattered and communities reeling. With weather conditions still working against them, officials warn that the fire’s advance could worsen in the coming days.
In the face of this devastation, the US government has unveiled an emergency response plan. Federal resources, including firefighters and additional aerial water drops, are being mobilised. Financial assistance for displaced families has been prioritised, with California Governor Gavin Newsom calling for immediate and long-term measures to tackle wildfire prevention and address the climate factors exacerbating such disasters.
As Los Angeles battles the flames, the struggle of its people and the unyielding efforts of its firefighters remain a proof to the city’s determination to endure and rebuild amidst catastrophe.
Published By:
Nishwan Rasool
Published On:
Jan 8, 2025
