Thousands of residents have fled as wildfires ravage areas around Los Angeles, destroying homes and overwhelming roads, reports AP.
Firefighters are battling intense winds that are propelling the flames, and several fires remain uncontained.One fire, which began Tuesday evening near a nature preserve in the foothills northeast of LA, spread so rapidly that staff at a senior living centre had to evacuate residents, some of whom were over 100 years old. They waited in parking lots under a red sky until they could be transported to safety.
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Another fire, which started earlier, ravaged the Pacific Palisades, an upscale coastal area. As people fled, the roadways became gridlocked, forcing many to abandon their cars and escape on foot, some carrying bags and children. Emergency vehicles struggled to reach the area, and a bulldozer had to clear a path through the abandoned cars. Destruction along the Pacific Coast Highway was widespread.
A third fire broke out in Sylmar around 10:30 p.m., triggering evacuations. The fires were fanned by Santa Ana winds of up to 70 mph, with some areas experiencing gusts up to 100 mph. The Los Angeles Fire Department appealed for off-duty firefighters to assist, while high winds prevented aircraft from assisting with firefighting efforts. Governor Gavin Newsom reported that over 1,400 firefighting personnel were deployed, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided support.
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Authorities haven't provided an estimate of the damage caused by the Pacific Palisades fire, but about 30,000 people were under evacuation orders, and 13,000 structures were at risk. Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency, and many homes in the area were destroyed. The fire spread through Temescal Canyon, a popular hiking area, and damaged parts of the Palisades Charter High School.
By evening, the flames had reached Malibu, where several people were treated for burn injuries, and a firefighter sustained a serious head injury. By early Wednesday, three fires were still raging, including one that had burned 1.6 square miles, another that had scorched 500 acres, and the largest, which had consumed 4.5 square miles. Power outages affected over 200,000 people in Los Angeles County.
The region's persistent dry conditions and strong winds, exacerbated by the Santa Anas, have contributed to the severity of the fires. Many areas have not received significant rain since May, heightening the risk of wildfires. The Pacific Palisades, located along the coast near Malibu, saw dramatic scenes of homes burning as residents fled. Actor James Woods shared footage of the flames near his home, and the Getty Villa reported some damage to its grounds.
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Amid the chaos, several events were cancelled, including movie premieres, and schools in the affected areas were temporarily relocated. The Getty Museum confirmed that its staff and collection remained safe despite the nearby fire.