Thousands warned to abandon homes as enormous wildfires burn through Los Angeles areas
A massive fire is tearing through parts of Los Angeles
, forcing thousands to flee their homes as dramatic scenes unfold across the city. Large plumes of smoke billow into the sky, and a state of emergency has been declared.
Currently, three wildfires are burning:
- Pacific Palisades Fire: This blaze, in a neighborhood known for its celebrity residents, has already consumed over 3,000 acres.
- Altadena Fire: Located near Eaton Canyon, this fire is growing steadily.
- Sylmar Fire: Covering 50 acres, this fire in the Sylmar suburbs has led to mandatory evacuations as firefighters warn of its rapid spread.
California’s fire agency has issued an urgent warning about an immediate threat to life in some areas. Over 30,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, with gridlocked roads causing chaos. Videos show abandoned cars being pushed aside by bulldozers to allow emergency vehicles access.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the day as we bring you the latest on this unfolding crisis.
Winds have been steadily intensifying overnight, with recent observations recording gusts of 60-70 mph over higher elevations near the Angeles National Forest and Santiago Peak.
These dry, powerful winds, known as “Santa Ana winds,” originate from the mountains to the north and east and sweep down toward the Los Angeles coast.
At the coastline, gusts have reached 40-50 mph (64-80 km/h) in the past few hours, with Pacific Palisades experiencing winds up to 55 mph (89 km/h).
Forecasts suggest that wind speeds could climb even higher, potentially reaching 80-100 mph (129-160 km/h) over elevated areas, intensifying the spread of flames toward densely populated regions of Los Angeles.
