BURNING WILDFIRES FORCE EVACUATIONS IN LOS ANGELES, DESTROY HOMES, AND LEAVE ROADS JAMMED
The Palisades fire in Los Angeles has burned rapidly, consuming miles of land and homes, prompting evacuation warnings for tens of thousands of people from Malibu to Santa Monica. The blaze has left many residents stranded, with some abandoning their cars and seeking shelter on the beach.
The fire is just one of three burning in Los Angeles County, with the Hurst fire in the north and the Eaton fire in Altadena. The latter, which has already consumed 1,000 acres, has forced the evacuation of an elderly care home in Pasadena, where residents were seen rushing out in wheelchairs with only their socks on.
More than 1,400 firefighters are battling the blazes, but containment is not expected anytime soon due to strong winds gusting at up to 100mph. “This is going to be a long night,” said Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Sheila Kelliher. “We’re going to have to fight this fire with everything we’ve got.”
As the situation remains dire, residents are being urged to follow safety guidelines. “If you have to abandon a vehicle, get it as far off the road as you can so that emergency vehicles can get by,” said Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell.
The fire has destroyed several iconic buildings, including a 36-year-old seafood restaurant in Malibu and the Palisades Charter High School, a popular filming location. Over 200,000 homes and buildings have lost power, and thousands of students in the Los Angeles Unified School District will have to attend online classes on Wednesday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed hundreds of personnel to fight the blaze, using aircraft, helicopters, bulldozers, and water tenders. However, the extreme winds have grounded aircraft, limiting the response to the Eaton fire.