Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate as a hazardous wildfire has destroyed homes in a suburb of Los Angeles. The fire is moving quickly and has already damaged around 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares) of land in the Pacific Palisades area.
Around 6:30 p.m., the Eaton Fire in Altadena, the first fire, broke out close to a nature park. Due to its quick spread, a senior care home had to evacuate immediately. Staff pushed patients in hospital beds and wheelchairs to an adjacent parking lot until ambulances could take them to safety.
The hurricane-force gusts are making the situation worse causing widespread panic and disorderly evacuations as the fire rages on.
Firefighters used bulldozers to remove abandoned cars, including high-end models like BMWs, Teslas, and Mercedes, from the road as the fire spread into a neighborhood in the Santa Monica Mountains that was home to numerous multimillion-dollar mansions.
President Joe Biden, made an unexpected visit to the Pacific Palisades to witness the destruction caused by fierce winds and flying embers. Over 30,000 people were advised to leave the area and over 13,000 buildings remained at risk, but Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said there were no immediate reports of any fatalities or injuries despite the chaotic evacuations.
Governor Gavin Newsom said that the president has approved federal aid to help California tackle the blaze. Acting Mayor and Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson announced that the American city has declared a state of emergency over the fire.
