Wildfires are sweeping through the Los Angeles area, as strong winds fuel fast-moving flames that threaten homes, businesses and neighborhoods, including those of many celebrities.
The fires, which began Tuesday, were intensified by powerful Santa Ana winds gusting over 70 mph (112 kph) in some areas, making firefighting efforts even more difficult.
Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed the deployment of more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to battle the blazes. In an urgent plea, the Los Angeles Fire Department called for assistance from all off-duty firefighters in the city.
The Palisades Fire, which ignited around 10:30 am Tuesday, has already scorched about 4.5 square miles (11.6 square kilometers). The fire spread embers onto trees and rooftops in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, leading to massive evacuations.
As residents rushed to escape, traffic jams on Palisades Drive blocked emergency vehicles, forcing crews to use bulldozers to clear the way. Photos from the area depict an apocalyptic scene.
Other fires have also caused significant damage. The Eaton Fire, located north of Pasadena in Altadena, started around 6:30pm Tuesday and quickly spread across 1.6 square miles (4 square kilometers) by Wednesday morning.
At a senior center, employees pushed dozens of residents in wheelchairs to safety. The Hurst Fire, igniting around 10:30pm Tuesday, forced evacuations in Sylmar, a neighborhood in northern Los Angeles. By Wednesday, the fire had grown to 500 acres (202 hectares).
Thousands flee as wildfires devastate Los Angeles
Authorities have issued evacuation orders for about 30,000 residents due to the Palisades Fire, with over 13,000 structures at risk. Additionally, the Eaton Fire prompted evacuations affecting more than 50,000 people. Areas impacted include Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, and Altadena.
More than 180,000 people in Southern California are currently without power, with the majority of outages occurring in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us.
The forecast calls for continued extreme fire weather. Santa Ana winds are expected to increase late Tuesday and into Wednesday, potentially reaching speeds of 100 mph (160 kph) in mountainous and foothill areas.
The National Weather Service has issued ongoing red flag warnings for critical fire conditions, driven by strong winds and dry conditions.