Italian
A series of devastating fires has struck Los Angeles County, causing at least five fatalities, mass evacuations, and the destruction of entire neighborhoods
LOS ANGELES. The resources of the Fire Department were put to the test as the flames consumed acres upon acres of land, leaving the city in mourning and in shock at the speed with which the fire spread.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared during last night’s press conference, “This firestorm is ‘the big one’ in terms of magnitude. It’s devastating.”
Main fires: Palisades and Eaton
The largest of the fires, the Palisades Fire, started Tuesday morning near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in the western part of the city. By Wednesday afternoon, it had already burned over 15,800 acres, forcing at least 60,000 people to evacuate.
To the northeast, near Pasadena, the Eaton Fire has developed, doubling in size on Wednesday morning, reaching 10,600 acres and continuing to grow. This fire has led to the evacuation of over 70,000 residents in the areas of Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, and parts of Glendale.
Minor fires and additional risks
Other smaller fires have affected the San Fernando Valley. The Hurst Fire grew to over 700 acres by Wednesday evening, while the Lidia Fire affected an area of about 100 acres.
A new fire, the Sunset Fire, broke out on Wednesday evening near Hollywood Hills, burning 20 acres so far. Mayor Bass reported that another fire, the Woodley Fire, in the Sepulveda Basin, is now under control.
Winds and Weather Conditions
Winds of hurricane strength have fueled the flames, but meteorologists predict a decrease in intensity by Wednesday evening. However, these gusts could pick up again on Thursday, further complicating containment efforts.
