LOS ANGELES: Wildfires Rage as Thousands Evacuate
As dawn broke on Thursday, two major wildfires around Los Angeles continued to blaze wildly, two days after they began. Firefighters made headway overnight in a smaller fire that threatened the iconic Hollywood Boulevard area.
The Palisades fire, located between Santa Monica and Malibu, and the Eaton fire near Pasadena have merged into one of the most devastating fire events in the city’s history, consuming nearly 28,000 acres—larger than Disney World. Tragically, at least five lives have been lost, and countless homes have been destroyed.
These fires have formed a daunting perimeter around Los Angeles, so extensive that they are even visible from space. As of 6:30 a.m. local time, both fires remained completely uncontained, according to Cal Fire.
"This firestorm is the big one," expressed Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass at a press event after cutting short an official trip to Ghana to return to the city.
Firefighters, supported by helicopters dropping retardants and water, have managed to make progress against the Sunset Fire, which prompted mandatory evacuations in the Hollywood area, including places like the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Good news came as the fire diminished slightly to about 43 acres from 60, and officials announced that no buildings had been lost.
However, the situation remains dire for many, as over 100,000 residents have been forced to leave their homes. Firefighters in Los Angeles County are battling at least five separate blazes as fierce winds propel flames across the dry landscape that hasn’t seen rain in months. Homes belonging to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have unfortunately fallen victim to the flames, destroying some of the most luxurious properties.
Red Flag warnings from the National Weather Service remain in effect for Los Angeles and Ventura counties until Friday evening due to the high risk of fire. Humidity is expected to stay low at 10% to 20%, occasionally dipping into single digits, while winds could reach 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph.
In Pacific Palisades, a wealthy neighborhood between Malibu and Santa Monica, water shortages have left some fire hydrants dry. Janisse Quinones, the head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, acknowledged this issue, stating, "We pushed the system to the extreme."
In response to the intensifying crisis, fire crews are focusing first on saving lives and then on protecting structures, even if it means transporting water manually. The Palisades fire has already claimed 17,234 acres and hundreds of buildings, racing down Topanga Canyon to the Pacific Ocean.
Film star Billy Crystal and his wife Janice expressed their grief when they learned their home, where they had lived since 1979, had been lost in the inferno. Media personality Paris Hilton shared her heartbreak as she witnessed her Malibu home "burn to the ground" on live television.
President Joe Biden was briefed about the impact of the fires and plans to hold discussions with top officials about the federal response later in the day.
Residents have started returning to the areas that the fire has already affected, witnessing scenes of devastation—standing chimneys amid piles of ashes.
"It looked like something out of a movie," said Oliver Allnatt, whose family home was completely destroyed. He was in disbelief as he captured images of the remnants.
Many evacuees have been seeking shelter in temporary refuges. Foad Farid found safety in the Westwood Recreation Center gym, arriving with nothing but his car and phone. Neighbors have come together, bringing food, water, and clothing to help those in need. Local food vendors, like Jeff Harris with his food truck, are offering meals to help feed those displaced.
Thousands are turning to evacuation centers as the destruction of homes escalates. "When I saw gas canisters exploding next door, I knew it was time to go," said one evacuee, recalling how the scene sounded like a war zone.
Aerial footage revealed stretches of smoldering homes in Pacific Palisades, while the Eaton Fire, to the east in the San Gabriel Mountains, has burned through an additional 10,600 acres, destroying 1,000 structures and claiming more lives.
Kevin McGowan, head of emergency management for Los Angeles County, described the situation as a "historic natural disaster," highlighting the overwhelming burden on firefighting resources. Firefighters from six other states are being deployed, alongside numerous engine companies and personnel from Northern California, to assist in combating the flames.
The timing of the fires has intensified their impact, as Southern California has experienced a long drought followed by dry Santa Ana winds that have driven flames rapidly through the area, endangering lives and properties alike.
