Powerful winds were feeding raging wildfires near Los Angeles on Wednesday, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate as flames consumed homes and hillsides in the affluent coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades. The fires, fanned by hurricane-force gusts, were racing across parched terrain, igniting buildings and casting a thick, smoky haze over the city.
The Pacific Palisades fire, nestled between Santa Monica and Malibu, consumed over 3,000 acres, and destroyed numerous structures, including homes belonging to celebrities. Los Angeles Councilwoman Traci Park warned of escalating damage, urging residents to stay prepared for sudden evacuations. “This is a life-saving operation,” she emphasized.
Emergency responders went from door to door enforcing evacuation orders as traffic gridlock forced some to abandon their vehicles. Evacuee Cindy Festa described the harrowing scene, with flames dangerously close to cars and palm trees engulfed in fire.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced a state of emergency, whereas Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also asked residents to heed evacuation orders. “Be vigilant and keep safe,” she counselled in social media, and said the gusty wind would get worse soon.
Meanwhile, two other major fires broke out in the area. The Eaton Fire near Pasadena spread to more than 2,200 acres in a matter of hours, burning homes, a synagogue, and a McDonald’s. Almost 100 residents were evacuated from a Pasadena nursing home.
In Sylmar, the Hurst Fire also led to more evacuations as it spread across parts of the San Fernando Valley. All three fires were still uncontrolled Wednesday morning, with dry conditions and powerful winds complicating firefighting efforts.
Firefighting aircraft have been deployed, scooping water from the ocean to douse the flames, while bulldozers clear blocked roads. The Getty Villa Museum narrowly escaped damage, thanks to pre-emptive landscaping efforts.
President Joe Biden pledged federal aid, as California won federal grants to fight the blazes. The National Weather Service had issued extreme fire danger alerts earlier in the week, pointing to low humidity and dry fuels as factors in the dangerous conditions.
