Five people are now confirmed killed as several fast-growing wildfires continue spreading in the Los Angeles area, threatening such iconic structures as the Hollywood sign. The fires, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds, began on Tuesday and remain completely uncontained.
Tens of Thousands Forced to Flee
As the flames spread and residents began evacuating, the roads were so jammed that some people abandoned their vehicles to escape the fire. Emergency responders went door to door to deliver evacuation orders.
The fleeing evacuees included Hollywood celebrities such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Mandy Moore, and Mark Hamill. The BBC reports that Paris Hilton and Adam Brody are also among the celebrities who have lost their homes.
The largest fire in Pacific Palisades has consumed thousands of acres in this upscale neighborhood between Santa Monica and Malibu. Known for its celebrity residents, Pacific Palisades has seen over 1,000 structures reduced to ash, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
Another wildfire, the Eaton Fire, has burned more than 2,000 acres in Altadena, located about 30 miles inland near Pasadena. Meanwhile, the Hurst Fire in Sylmar, in the San Fernando Valley, has scorched over 500 acres. Fire officials report that all three fires are currently 0% contained, with the relentless winds hampering firefighting efforts.
Unprecedented Destruction
The National Guard has been deployed to assist in a situation many agree is unprecedented. President Biden canceled a trip to Italy, where he was planning to meet with the Pope, to coordinate the federal response to the wildfires. The White House said it had arranged for Navy helicopters to join the firefighting effort, as reported in the New York Times.
President Biden also appeared alongside Gavin Newsom, California’s governor, at a fire station in Santa Monica. “We’re prepared to do anything and everything, as long as it takes, to contain these fires and help reconstruct, make sure we get back to normal,” Biden told the press and officials gathered.
Discover Los Angeles has made a statement—with information on how to help—and is providing regular updates on the wildfires, which were expected to continue through Thursday.
