Five killed, many injured as tens of thousands flee Los Angeles fires

Massive wildfires in the Los Angeles area have destroyed at least 1,000 buildings, claimed 5 lives, and caused "extensive" serious injuries. Authorities say five fires are currently raging and uncontrolled, and tens of thousands of California residents have been ordered to evacuate. Traffic congestion forced many to abandon their vehicles and flee.

According to authorities, "hurricane-force" winds are fueling the fires. The largest of these, in the coastal community of Pacific Palisades, has been declared the most destructive fire in the city's history. The cause of the fires is not yet clear and is under investigation. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell, while briefing President Joe Biden in Santa Monica on Wednesday morning, stated, "What we have seen in the last 24 hours is unprecedented." He also added, "I have never seen anything like this."

Fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades lost water pressure around 3 a.m. Wednesday, reportedly due to low reservoir levels. There are reports that some hydrants are still experiencing issues, and residents have been asked to conserve water. The National Weather Service has warned of "extremely critical fire weather" in coastal parts of Southern California, with gusts of wind up to 130 kilometers per hour. The Los Angeles County Fire Department has stated that "extreme fire behavior" could continue through Thursday. On Wednesday afternoon, evacuation orders were expanded to the densely populated Santa Monica community.

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustine said that emergency responders have been rescuing people from burning buildings and helping them evacuate through blocked streets. Chief Augustine stated, "Without their actions, we would have a significantly higher death toll today." Currently, over 1,000 firefighters are battling the five fires. The Palisades fire, in particular, has affected the upscale coastal residential area of Pacific Palisades, home to many celebrities, and near the Malibu and Santa Monica beach communities. This fire has burned over 6,500 hectares, destroyed approximately 1,000 buildings, and caused "extensive serious injuries" to residents who did not evacuate.

Other fires include: the Eaton Fire, which has burned over 10,600 hectares in the Angeles National Forest and the Altadena area northeast of Pasadena, resulting in at least 5 deaths; the Hearst Fire, which broke out around 10 p.m. Tuesday in the Sylmar area in the northern suburbs of the city in the San Fernando Valley, quickly spreading to 300 hectares and forcing the evacuation of 3,000 residents; the Lydia Fire, which started on Wednesday afternoon, rapidly expanding to 144 hectares and is currently 30% contained, burning near Acton, about 80 kilometers from Pacific Palisades; and the new Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills, which broke out late Wednesday, is also uncontrolled, triggering evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people in an area that includes the iconic Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Earlier, another fire burned at least 30 hectares in the Sepulveda Basin northwest of downtown Los Angeles but was brought under control on Wednesday. It is believed that hundreds of homes, many of which are multi-million dollar mansions, have been destroyed. Churches, restaurants, and other businesses have also been burned. At least five school campuses have been damaged. Over 400,000 properties in California were without power on Wednesday afternoon. Intermittent power outages were reported in other parts of Los Angeles. Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson said, "Last night was one of the most destructive and terrifying nights that this city has ever seen anywhere."

Hollywood stars such as Paris Hilton, Mandy Moore, and James Woods have shared on social media that their homes may have been destroyed after being forced to evacuate. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis said her "beloved community is gone." The Associated Press reported that Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg also own properties in the area. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger compared the situation after the Eaton Fire to a "third-world country." She said at a press conference, "Obviously, as a representative of the Fifth District, we are prone to wildfires, but we have never seen anything like what we are seeing today. The fire in Eaton Canyon is destroying a community, something I've never witnessed."

Events announcing the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations were canceled. The annual American Film Institute Awards luncheon scheduled for Friday and the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday have been postponed. Several Hollywood film premieres have also been delayed, and some television shows have halted production. Vice President Kamala Harris's residence is also within the evacuation zone, but a spokesperson said no one was residing there when the evacuation order was issued. Local Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated that the county's 29 fire departments are "tapped out, with no equipment or extra personnel to deploy." He also said that firefighters have been deployed from Northern California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and more resources have been requested. Task forces from Arizona were subsequently sent to help.

Biden stated that he has directed the Department of Defense to provide additional firefighters. The Pentagon later said it would send 10 Navy helicopters. Biden said, "We are prepared to do everything we can, as long as it takes, to get these fires under control, to help rebuild, and to make sure we get back to normal." He also added, "It's going to be a long road, and it's going to take time."