Devastating wildfires ravage Los Angeles, threatening landmarks and homes
A fast-moving wildfire erupted in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, threatening iconic landmarks as firefighters battled three other major blazes across Los Angeles, reports a Kazinform News Agency correspondent.
The fires have already killed five people, forced 130,000 evacuations, and devastated communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena.
The Sunset Fire burned near the Hollywood Bowl, a mile from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Streets near Grauman’s Chinese Theatre were clogged with traffic as helicopters dropped water on the flames. Tourists and residents evacuated on foot, while others recorded the fire on their phones.
Hurricane-force winds on Tuesday fueled the spread, with embers igniting multiple blocks. Winds calmed slightly Wednesday, but erratic gusts remained a challenge. Schools, including Palisades Charter High, were damaged or destroyed, and UCLA canceled classes for the week. In Pasadena, 200-500 structures were lost to the Eaton Fire, as power outages and intense winds hampered efforts.
On the Pacific Coast, the Palisades Fire destroyed entire blocks, reducing homes, grocery stores, and banks to rubble. It is now the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history, burning over 1,000 structures. Iconic neighborhoods like Calabasas and Santa Monica faced severe threats, with celebrities like Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes, Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal losing homes.
In Palisades Village, landmarks such as the public library and local businesses were destroyed. Residents, wearing masks, sifted through toxic smoke and ashes. For some, like Jose Velasquez, quick action saved their homes, but many were less fortunate, losing everything as flames swept through.
“So we had to call a few people and then we had people messaging, asking if their house was still standing,” Velasquez said. “We had to tell them that it’s not.”
The fires have consumed 42 square miles, nearly the size of San Francisco, leaving little time for residents to escape. Roads became gridlocked as people abandoned vehicles and fled on foot. Dry winds and rising temperatures, tied to climate change, have extended California’s fire season, making these events more frequent and devastating.
President Joe Biden declared a federal emergency and sent National Guard troops to assist. Hollywood studios suspended production, and landmarks like the Reel Inn in Malibu were destroyed.
Despite the destruction, some remain hopeful, with one resident saying, “As long as everyone’s alive, you’re still winning.”
It was previously reported that a fast-moving wildfire in Los Angeles, California, has forced the evacuation of 30,000 people. Officials have warned that strengthening winds could intensify the blaze further.
