Pacific Palisades: Los Angeles bushfire rages as 30,000 residents given ‘evacuate now’ notice in California
A state of emergency has been declared in Los Angeles, with at least 30,000 people under an immediate evacuation order as a raging bushfire has exploded in size, burning homes and cars.
The fire located in Pacific Palisades, a neighbourhood in Los Angeles, has reached at least 1,200 acres and is rapidly building in size.
Terrifying images show residents attempting to flee for their lives as officials struggle to get the enormous blaze under control.
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“Evacuate now from the area of Palisades Area. Those not in the evacuation area should shelter in place. Evacuation order for Palisades Fire,” the Los Angeles Fire Department said on X.
Homes and cars have already been lost to the ferocious blaze.
No injuries have been reported yet, however, crews have struggled to gain access to main areas, pleading with residents to “clear the streets”.
Before the fire started, the National Weather Service had issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions for much of Los Angeles County from Tuesday through Thursday, predicting wind gusts of 80-130km/h with isolated winds of 130-160km/h in the mountains and foothills.
The fire, which was initially just 10 acres, has spread rapidly due to strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity, fuelling extreme wildfire risks.
“In other words, this is about as bad as it gets in terms of fire weather,” the Los Angeles office of the National Weather Service said on X.
With only one major road leading from the canyon to the coast, and only one coastal highway leading to safety, traffic crawled to a halt, leading people to flee on foot.
Crews have been seen rescuing those on foot as the fire rages, expanding in size.
Officials say there are 10,000 homes within the current evacuation order area.
At least 250 firefighters are battling the blaze on the ground, with multiple helicopters and planes attacking the fire from the sky as they desperately attempt to slow its spread.
One man said he was attempting to retrieve items from his home when he was stopped by firefighters and flaming debris landed in the road.
“So it seemed to me, let’s get out of here. Whatever I lose, I lose. There’s nothing I can do about it,” said the man who identified himself only as Peter.
Cindy Festa, another Pacific Palisades resident, said that as she evacuated out of the canyon fires were “this close to the cars,” demonstrating with her thumb and forefinger.
“People left their cars on Palisades Drive. Burning up the hillside. The palm trees - everything is going,” Ms Festa said from her car.
Near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway, two hybrid vehicles burned while firefighters battled a large blaze just up the hill and others barricaded their station by parking fire trucks out front.
Pacific Palisades is located between Malibu and Santa Monica and is known for its ocean views, greenery, and affluent community. The area features landmarks like Will Rogers State Historic Park and Temescal Canyon Park and access to Palisades Beach.
Actor James Woods shared multiple looks at his home during the fire to X on Tuesday, including flames budding up near his deck.
“Leaving,” he captioned a video of flames nearly reaching another home.
- With Reuters
