Los Angeles wildfires continued to spread Wednesday, destroying some of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods and killing at least five people. Hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave the city as the dense fires covered it in smoke and ash.
The fire damaged more than 1,000 buildings and injured several persons. About 42 square miles (108 square kilometers) have been burned, which is about the size of the entire city of San Francisco.
Forecasters say three large flames have been raging, with at least two in the Los Angeles region and one in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood being fueled by windstorms and dry conditions.
Winds have been a challenge to firefighting efforts; according to Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin, “very erratic winds” have contributed to the fire’s recent spread.
According to media reports, California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency on Tuesday, and more severe weather was predicted.
Following a briefing on the four wildfires burning in Southern California, US President Joe Biden issued a federal disaster declaration on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, Biden said, “It’s astounding what’s happening here.” He further pledged that the federal government will continue to provide support for “as long as it takes.”
In the Pacific Palisades, which is situated between the seaside communities of Santa Monica and Malibu, officials said that around 3,000 acres had burnt and many buildings had been destroyed. Numerous movie and music celebrities call the region home.
According to reports, a number of celebrities, including Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg, have properties in the same neighborhood and are waiting to hear if their houses survived the fire.
