Uncontrolled Los Angeles wildfires kill two, devastate neighbourhoods
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The news: Fierce wildfires driven by hurricane-force winds are devastating areas in Los Angeles, killing at least two people, destroying more than 1,000 structures and prompting mandatory evacuations of more than 80,000 people, officials said.
The largest, a rapidly growing fire in the Palisades area, has burned nearly 3,000 acres and forced at least 37,000 residents, including those in the affluent residential neighbourhoods of the Pacific Palisades and Malibu, to evacuate.
An Eaton fire near Pasadena has consumed over 2,200 acres, destroying homes, a synagogue and a nursing home, according to reports.
Another fire in the Hurst neighbourhood in Sylmar has burned 500 acres, while a smaller fire in Tyler Canyon in Coachella prompted further evacuations, according to media reports. A further fire in the Sepulveda Basin was contained, officials said.
The context: With wind speeds exceeding 100 mph and all three major fires at 0% containment as of 7:30 am Wednesday local time (2:00am Thursday AEDT), firefighting efforts remained extremely challenging.
While wildfires in Southern California typically occur in late spring to autumm, dry winters have made fires increasingly common year-round.
What they said: California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and secured federal grants to support the response. About 300,000 people were without power as authorities prioritise life-saving evacuations amid worsening conditions.
“This is going to be devastating, a devastating loss, for all of Los Angeles,” said Traci Park, the Los Angeles city councilwoman whose district includes Pacific Palisades, the site of the biggest fire.
"Everybody needs to be packed and prepared to move on an instant's notice. ... This is a life-saving operation."
The sources: The New York Times , Reuters , NBC News
