E-Paper
Los Angeles: Pacific Palisades wildfire destroys cars and houses, forcing 30,000 to evacuate | Updates
A dangerous wildfire in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, has devastated nearly 3,000 acres and forced over 30,000 residents to evacuate.
A dangerous wildfire has torn through a Los Angeles suburb, levelling homes and forcing thousands of residents to flee. The blaze, which destroyed nearly 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares) of land in the Pacific Palisades area, so far, is rapidly spreading.
News agency AFP reported that the hurricane-force winds are making the matter worse, sparking widespread panic and chaotic evacuations as the fire continues to rage.
TRACK| Los Angeles Wildfire Live Updates
The blaze further engulfed an area packed with multimillion-dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains where firefighters used bulldozers to move abandoned vehicles, including luxury models like BMWs, Teslas, and Mercedes, off the road.
Despite the frantic evacuations, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said there were no immediate reports of any deaths or injuries and over 30,000 people were ordered to evacuate the region.
Los Angeles wildfire: Here are top updates
- A wildfire in Los Angeles raged across an upscale section amid a fierce windstorm hitting Southern California.
- The fire erupted midmorning and swelled quickly, taking many residents by surprise.
- The fire came as the area was being hit by seasonal Santa Ana winds that forecasters said could develop into the worst windstorm in a decade, with gusts of up to 100 miles (160 kilometres) an hour expected.
Los Angeles wildfire: Fierce windstorm fans the blaze, forcing residents out; worst is yet to come
- The fire swiftly consumed nearly 2 square miles (just over 5 square kilometres) of land in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood in western Los Angeles,
- Hundreds of firefighters swarmed the area, attacking the blaze from the ground and the air, while crews worked in steep terrain to cut back vegetation and create firebreaks.
- Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said despite the chaotic evacuation, there were no immediate reports of any deaths or injuries.
- Around 30,000 people were ordered to evacuate the fast-spreading flames.
- 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.
READ | Forest dept registers offence against one for setting up forest fire in Undri
- As of Tuesday evening, 28,300 households were without power due to the strong winds, according to the mayor’s office.
- US President Joe Biden, who was in Los Angeles for a planned announcement on new national monuments, was briefed on the incident, the White House said.
- The president has approved federal aid to help California tackle the blaze, Governor Gavin Newsom said.
- Incoming president Donald Trump has previously threatened to withhold wildfire aid from Democrat-run California.
- Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, in a press briefing, noted that some schools were being relocated due to the spread of wildfire, BBC reported.
