“Over 37,000 residents, including numerous celebrities and industry leaders, remain under evacuation orders as a quad of fires wreak havoc across the Los Angeles area this week, killing at least two people as the blazes continue to be aided by intense winds that have reached nearly 100 mph. Such high winds are hindering firefighters’ efforts”, — write: www.hollywoodreporter.com
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Tuesday night, telling Southern California residents to “stay vigilant, take all necessary precautions and follow local emergency guidance.” As the largest of the four blazes tore through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, the coastal hillside area with several celebrity residences, Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods were among those forced to flee; other celebrities with homes in the Palisades Fire’s path include Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.
At a Wednesday morning press conference, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marone told reporters that the Palisades Fire has destroyed 5,000 acres of land and 2,000 structures. There have been no reported fatalities but a high number of significant injuries to residents who chose not to heed warnings and did not evacuate. Some of those injured have been first responders attempting to contain the fire and rescue those trapped as the inferno quickly overtook the area. Marone said that the cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation. Winds are expected to reach up to 60 mph in the area through Thursday.
The Eaton Fire, the county’s second massive blaze to ignite this week, in a day destroyed over 2,000 acres and led to two reported civilian fatalities plus several significant injuries, Marone said; he added that over 1,000 structures have been destroyed in the blaze as of Wednesday morning. Later on Wednesday morning, officials said it had exploded to 10,000 acres. The cause of the Eaton Fire is also unknown and under investigation, Marone said, adding that evacuation orders are in place for 32,500 residents and an estimated 13,186 local structures remain at risk. Meanwhile, another 38,000 residents are currently under evacuation warnings.
“All residents of L.A. County are in danger [in this] widespread disaster,” Marone said, saying that firefighters will remain on the frontline until they reach full containment.
The identities of the two individuals who died as a result of the fire have not been officially released by authorities as of Wednesday morning.
Los Angeles Fire Department chief Robert Luna spoke on the evacuation orders, telling residents directly that their lives depend on them acting on the warnings issued by authorities.
“You need to be prepared. If you are in a warning area, make sure you have your essentials: your important paperwork, your medications; things that you can take — your phone charger — to survive for at least a week. But if you are told to evacuate and given an order, there is nothing worth your life. Please listen to the police and the fire officials out there and be prepared to evacuate,” Luna said on Wednesday.
Luna also noted that the fires have led to 10 percent of schools in Los Angeles County being shut down.
On Wednesday, L.A. fire official Kristin Crowley noted all aircraft were grounded overnight and remained so as of Wednesday morning’s press conference.
“We are absolutely not out of danger yet,” she said.
The Hurst Fire, which exploded on Tuesday in the Sylmar area, in the San Fernando Valley, northwest of the city of Los Angeles, has now destroyed over 500 acres and led to more than 3,000 residents evacuating the area, officials said on Wednesday. It’s spreading rapidly under high winds and creating dangerous conditions for nearby communities, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on Wednesday.
“The combination of dry fuels, strong winds, and low humidity is contributing to aggressive fire behavior, making containment efforts extremely challenging,” CAL FIRE added.
The smaller Woodley Fire started on Wednesday at 6:15 a.m. on North Woodley Avenue just west of the 405 Freeway and north of the 101 Freeway in the Sepulveda Basin. It was initially reported at 75 acres, but according to CAL FIRE, it was revised down to 30 acres. Firefighters are working diligently to contain the fire and protect structures in the affected area.