Wildfires continue to rage over more than 27,000 acres in Southern California as crews struggle to contain the blazes and more than 150,000 people evacuate.
So far, five people are dead, countless are hurt and more than 1,000 structures are in ruin as the blazes devastate Southern California. The Palisades Fire is now the most destructive in Los Angeles history.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called on residents to “conserve water to the extent that you can” as firefighters battle the historic blaze.
“But make no mistake, Los Angeles will rebuild stronger than ever,” she said.
A new blaze sparked in Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, prompting even more evacuation orders in the area. The fire has burned more than ten acres so far.
Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire is now more than 15,000 acres, while the Eaton Fire has scorched some 10,600 acres.
The blazes have forced the evacuation of more than 150,000 residents, including more than 60,000 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. More than 450,000 people are also without power throughout the region, according to PowerOutage.us.
Homes have been destroyed across the LA area, including those owned by several celebrities.
LAPD helps direct Hollywood evacuation traffic
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has directed the city’s police department to help direct heavy evacuation traffic out of Hollywood.
“We are deploying LAPD officers to respond to Hollywood to help alleviate evacuation traffic,” Bass wrote on X. “We are working urgently to close roads, redirect traffic and expand access for LAFD vehicles to respond to the growing fire.”
The Hollywood Hills blaze sparked this afternoon, city officials said late Wednesday.
All Los Angeles Unified School District schools closed on Thursday
All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District will be closed Thursday amid the fires devastating Southern California.
“As the Los Angeles region continues responding to this unprecedented crisis, the health and safety of our students and employees are of the utmost importance,” the district said in a statement. “All Los Angeles Unified schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 9. The confluence of factors – wind, fire, and smoke – have created dangerous, complex situations that present unsafe conditions for our school communities. Select essential personnel will be contacted by their supervisors regarding potential work duties.”
Paris Hilton’s Malibu home burns down
Paris Hilton’s Malibu, California home burned down amid the devastating wildfires on Wednesday.
“Heartbroken beyond words,” Hilton wrote on X. “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.”
Several other celebrities — including Adam Brody, Leighton Meester and Diane Warren — have also lost their homes to the blazes.
President Biden cancels final foreign trip of presidency to focus on California fire response
President Joe Biden has canceled his upcoming trip to Italy to ensure he can focus on the federal response to the devastating California wildfires, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday evening.
It was set to be the final foreign trip of his presidency.
“After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today he had met with police, fire and emergency personnel fighting the historic fires raging in the area and approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, President Biden made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead,” she said in a statement.
New blaze sparked in Hollywood Hills
Yet another wildfire has broken out in southern California, this time in the Hollywood Hills area. The fire is quickly spreading and has already prompted new evacuation orders.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley announced the new blaze during a Wednesday evening news conference.
“I don’t have a lot of information,” Crowley said.
“I can tell you we’re throwing all of our available resources at it as we speak,” she added.
The blaze has burned at least 10 acres as of Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Five football fields a minute: How a perfect storm of extreme weather set off Los Angeles wildfires
Tens of thousands of Southern California residents have evacuated their homes as multiple wildfires continue to devastate the area, abandoning vehicles, property, and other possessions in their haste to escape the flames now spreading at a rate of about five football fields per minute.
In all, more than 27,000 acres have been scorched by the flames, and at least five people have been killed.
“The smoke is a toxic soup,” Brian Rice, president of the statewide California Professional Firefighters union said on Wednesday, imploring tourists to stay out of the vicinity. “It’s not just the brush that’s burning, but homes are burning. Homes contain plastics that are built from petrochemical compounds. If you do not have to be in that area and breathe that environment in, don’t. It’s dangerous.”
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At least three arrested for looting in Los Angeles area
Police have made three looting arrests amid the devastating wildfires, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said on Wednesday evening.
“Sometimes we talk about the looting and people who aren’t listening,” Luna said. “I’m going to tell you, 99% of the people are listening, and I think that’s why hopefully the injuries and fatalities and all those ugly things will stay down.”
Several states provide help to California, LA fire official says
Firefighting units from Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona are responding to the Southern California wildfires, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.
The fires are under active investigation.
“The cause of the fire is unknown and under active investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the US Forest Service arson investigators,” Marrone said. “And the moment we learn the cause of this fire, we will advise the media.”
Several states provide help to California, LA fire official says
Firefighting units from Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona are responding to the Southern California wildfires, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.
The fires are under active investigation.
“The cause of the fire is unknown and under active investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the US Forest Service arson investigators,” Marrone said. “And the moment we learn the cause of this fire, we will advise the media.”
Source: independent.co.uk