Los Angeles is in crisis as a wildfire that erupted Tuesday morning has incinerated from a mere 10 acres to an overwhelming 2,900 acres within hours. With high winds and dry conditions fueling the flames, Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has ordered the evacuation of over 30,000 residents, as two additional fires threaten areas northwest of the city.
According to BBC report, the fire ignited around 10:30 AM local time, and later transformed into a fierce inferno, driven by the notorious Santa Ana winds. Adding to the destruction, the seasonal dry, and powerful gusts have made containment efforts nearly impossible. The winds, coupled with a prolonged dry spell, have turned the region into a tinderbox. “There’s no fire season in California anymore, it’s a fire year,” Governor Gavin Newsom said, underlining the state’s continuous battle with wildfires.
Chad Hanson, a fire ecologist, warned of a challenging night ahead for fire crews. “The most extreme fire weather is projected between 2:00 and 6:00 AM,” he told BBC, emphasizing the role of the Santa Ana winds and the dangerously dry conditions.
As flames encroached on the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, dramatic scenes unfolded. Eyewitnesses described residents abandoning their vehicles to flee.
Officials are prioritizing evacuations and safety. Battalion Chief David Acuna of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL) said, “We’re mostly concerned with ensuring all people get out of the area because life safety is the most important part.” Governor Newsom confirmed the deployment of over 1,400 firefighters, with additional support arriving from across the state.
Pasadena, particularly its northeast, is heavily affected. Jennifer Colby, Public Information Coordinator for Pasadena, reported over 5,000 evacuations and significant damage to homes. “We are utilizing all resources that we have,” she said, highlighting the deployment of 50 strike teams.
Celebrities are among those evacuating. Eugene Levy described the smoke as “pretty black and intense,” while Steve Guttenberg assisted firefighters, urging residents to clear pathways for emergency vehicles. Mark Hamill labeled the blaze the “Most horrific fire since ’93” and detailed his harrowing last-minute evacuation from Malibu.
As Los Angeles grapples with this disaster, the community remains on high alert, with officials working tirelessly to combat the blaze and ensure safety.
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