Firefighters confronted extensive wildfires early Thursday in the Los Angeles region, struggling to contain blazes that have killed five people, devastated communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena, and forced thousands to evacuate their homes in haste, reports AP.
While the ferocious winds that fanned the flames have subsided somewhat, offering firefighters a critical chance to gain control, the fires remain widespread, with significant activity in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. On Wednesday evening, a new fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills, inching closer to the heart of Los Angeles and its entertainment hub. Despite the encroaching flames, just a mile away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, bustling streets reflected the city’s resilience as visitors captured the burning hills on their phones.
What to know about wildfires raining embers onto the Los Angeles area
The Sunset Fire saw significant containment efforts, with Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott crediting swift action and more favourable weather conditions. A day earlier, hurricane-force winds had fueled the Palisades and Eaton fires, destroying nearly 2,000 structures and necessitating the temporary grounding of firefighting aircraft.
The fires have collectively scorched around 42 square miles (108 square kilometres), displacing 130,000 residents under evacuation orders. The Palisades Fire has become the most destructive in Los Angeles history, with the Eaton Fire claiming five lives.
Educational institutions have not been spared, with over six schools damaged or destroyed, including Palisades Charter High School, a location often featured in Hollywood productions. UCLA has cancelled classes for the week due to the fires.
Pasadena’s fire chief, Chad Augustin, cited stretched water resources and power outages as challenges, compounded by winds that propelled embers miles ahead of the flames. Residents like Jose Velasquez fought valiantly to save their homes, though many in his Altadena neighbourhood lost everything while away at work.
Thousands flee as wildfires devastate Los Angeles
In Pacific Palisades, a hillside enclave with many celebrity homes, the devastation has revealed blocks of charred remains, melted vehicles, and soot-filled swimming pools. Fires also struck Sylmar in the northern San Fernando Valley, another area familiar with destructive blazes.
The fires have swept through dense neighbourhoods primed to burn in dry conditions, leaving residents and police scrambling for safety. In Pacific Palisades, gridlocked roads forced many to abandon their vehicles and flee on foot.
Affluent areas, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, were not spared. Celebrities such as Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes, Paris Hilton, and Billy Crystal suffered the loss of homes. The Crystals, who lost their 45-year family home, reflected on the memories tied to their property.
In Palisades Village, landmarks such as the public library, grocery stores, banks, and boutique shops were reduced to ashes. Residents, like Dylan Vincent, returned to scenes of total destruction, with blocks flattened and schools obliterated.
California’s worsening fire seasons, driven by higher temperatures and reduced rainfall linked to climate change, have lengthened fire activity into traditionally cooler months. Dry winds like the Santa Anas, combined with a lack of rain since May, have exacerbated the conditions. Wind speeds peaked at 80 mph (129 kph) on Wednesday but are expected to decline into Friday.
President Joe Biden issued a federal emergency declaration after meeting with Governor Gavin Newsom at a Santa Monica fire station. National Guard troops have been deployed to assist. The fires have also disrupted Hollywood, halting productions and leading to the closure of Universal Studios' theme park.
Landmarks like Malibu’s Reel Inn seafood restaurant were heavily damaged, with its owners determined to rebuild. Teddy Leonard, the owner, emphasised the importance of family safety, remarking, “As long as everyone’s alive, you’re still winning, right?”
Over 330,000 residents remain without power as the fires continue to challenge Southern California.