LOS ANGELES — Tragedy struck as wildfires erupted across the Los Angeles area, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals and the destruction of over 1,000 properties. The fast-spreading flames engulfed homes and businesses, forcing residents to evacuate from smoke-filled canyons and affluent neighborhoods, many of which are linked to notable celebrities.
The wildfires, which began on Tuesday, were intensified by the powerful Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching over 70 mph (approximately 112 kph) in certain areas. These strong winds continued through Wednesday, creating hazardous conditions that halted aerial firefighting efforts temporarily. Thankfully, aerial operations resumed by Wednesday morning.
In response to the crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom reported that over 1,400 firefighting personnel have been mobilized to combat the blazes. The Los Angeles Fire Department issued an urgent request for all off-duty firefighters to assist the efforts. Teams from Oregon and Washington, as well as crews from Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona, are also en route to help manage the situation.
Initial damage estimates from the fires range between $52 billion and $57 billion, as reported by AccuWeather. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden opted to cancel his trip to Rome to oversee the federal response from the capital.
The Palisades Fire has emerged as the most devastating wildfire in the history of Los Angeles. Approximately 1,000 structures in the coastal community of Pacific Palisades were annihilated, surpassing the destruction from the Sayre Fire of November 2008 that had previously devastated 604 buildings in Sylmar. Roughly 25 square miles (40 square kilometers) were scorched in this celebrity-populated area, which is famously celebrated in the Beach Boys’ 1960s hit, “Surfin’ USA.” The flames also consumed parts of Palisades Charter High School, a location seen in many Hollywood films, including the horror classic “Carrie.” Additionally, significant infrastructure such as the public library, grocery stores, banks, and local shops in Palisades Village were lost, including the home of actor Billy Crystal, who lived there for 45 years.
In their rush to evacuate, residents created traffic congestion that hindered emergency vehicles’ access. Crews were compelled to use bulldozers to clear abandoned vehicles from roads, as some residents described a catastrophic and apocalyptic scenario.
Further challenges arose with other fires. The Eaton Fire to the north of Pasadena reportedly damaged between 200 and 500 structures and significantly affected five school campuses in Altadena, burning over 16.5 square miles (43 square kilometers). Some employees at a nearby senior center aided elderly residents in escaping, using wheelchairs and hospital beds to transport them safely. Meanwhile, the Hurst Fire ignited around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, resulting in evacuations in Sylmar and expanding to one square mile (2.6 square kilometers). Additionally, a new blaze emerged in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, dubbed the Sunset Fire, which threatened landmarks near the iconic Hollywood Bowl.
Evacuation orders impacted at least 100,000 residents, with the numbers fluctuating as further announcements were made throughout the day. By Wednesday afternoon, several hundred individuals, many of whom were elderly, sought refuge at an evacuation center in Pasadena. The fires posed a major risk to densely populated and wealthy areas like Calabasas and Santa Monica. Notable figures such as Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and James Woods were among those who had to evacuate, with Moore sadly reporting the loss of her home in Altadena.
The smoke and ash from the wildfires have severely degraded air quality across Southern California, affecting approximately 17 million residents. According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the air quality index in East Los Angeles soared to an unhealthy 173, with readings above 50 considered poor. Dr. Puneet Gupta from the Los Angeles County Fire Department cautioned that wildfire smoke can trigger serious health issues like heart attacks and exacerbate asthma conditions.
Due to the fires, numerous events have been either canceled or postponed. The NHL has called off the Los Angeles Kings’ game against the Calgary Flames, which was to take place at the downtown arena. The Critics Choice Awards have been rescheduled to January 26, and the Academy Awards voting window has also been extended with a delay in the forthcoming nominations announcement. Additionally, film studios halted the premieres of two movies, while Universal Studios Hollywood shut down for the day because of the hazardous conditions. Filming for shows like “Hacks” and “Ted Lasso” was also canceled, while schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District announced closures for the upcoming Thursday.
Power outages have further complicated the situation, leaving around 310,000 customers in Southern California without electricity late Wednesday, with more than half affected in Los Angeles County, as per monitoring from PowerOutage.us.
