Two dead, scores injured and tens of thousands evacuated: massive wildfires sweep through LA

The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon (local time) in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which borders the Santa Monica Mountains north of the city. It is still not clear what caused it. The flames are spread over an area of ​​no less than 20 square kilometers around 5:30 PM our time. In the chic district, where many celebrities live, more than 1,000 buildings have already been destroyed by the fire. According to the fire brigade, that figure will undoubtedly increase.

The home of American actor James Woods (77), who keeps his followers informed via social media, was also hit. “We were able to evacuate successfully. I don’t know if our house is still there, but other houses in our small street have unfortunately collapsed,” he wrote in a message on X. (Read more below the post)

Multiple fires

A second fire then broke out in the hills above Pasadena, a suburb of Los Angeles. That fire, which started about 30 miles inland, was named the Eaton Fire. The fire has already engulfed more than 2,227 hectares of forest and destroyed more than 100 buildings. At least two people have died and the emergency services are also talking about several seriously injured people among the people who could not be evacuated in time. The fire brigade says it has “0 percent control” of the situation.

There is also a third fire, the Hurst Fire, which started in Sylmar, in the San Fernando Valley northwest of Los Angeles, forcing some local residents to evacuate. A fourth rages in the Van Nuys district, covering an area of ​​about 30 hectares. A fifth, fortunately smaller, fire started in Riverside County. It has now been extinguished, the fire brigade said. The cause of the fires is not yet known. (Continue reading below the map)

Fires are also reported in Altadena, Arcadia, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Sylmar. Images on social media show how people have to flee from their homes due to the rapidly approaching fire. These are simply spectacular and terrifying images, which make it clear how hopeless it is for them to save their property.

Strong winds

The fire has spread rapidly in recent hours and continues to do so. According to American media, an area the size of several football fields goes up in flames every minute. The fire is being fanned by strong winds, which will last at least until Wednesday. These also make it difficult for fire-fighting aircraft to take off.

“Once the winds die down and once we have made sure that all people have been evacuated, we can use all our resources to contain and ultimately completely extinguish the fire,” California Fire Department Chief David Acuna said. CNN. But as long as the wind continues to rage, it will be impossible to get the flames under control, according to the fire brigade. According to Anthony Marrone of the fire brigade, he does not have enough people under him to tackle fires of this size. “There aren’t enough people in all of LA to fight something like this,” he said.

Thousands of firefighters are still making frantic efforts to fight the fires. Some of them have already testified about situations and winds like they have never experienced before. A 25-year-old firefighter suffered a serious head injury. She was treated at the scene and taken to the hospital, fire officials said. (Read more below the photo slider)

Evacuation

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday after the fires expanded rapidly in just a few hours. Several local residents had to leave their cars on the side of the road to escape. More than 52,000 people have been ordered to evacuate and the blaze threatens more than 21,000 buildings. Another more than 46,000 people have been warned and must prepare to leave their homes if ordered to do so. “If you receive an evacuation order, comply with it. This is one of the most serious fires in history,” said Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

The iconic Rose Bowl sports stadium has been transformed into a shelter to safeguard large pets such as horses, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.

The fires are also being felt elsewhere. Sports competitions have been canceled and even the filming of series and films has been halted due to the dangerously advancing fire. Three major film premieres have also been canceled due to the forest fires. It’s about the biopic Better man with Robbie Williams, the film Unstoppable with Jennifer Lopez and Wolf man. Tourist attractions and schools in the region remain closed. All risks are avoided. Many hundreds of thousands of households are also without power.

Are you a Flemish person currently living in one of the affected areas? Let us know using the form below.