Wildfire rages in elite Los Angeles neighborhood: 30,000 forced to evacuate
Photo: Wildfires in Los Angeles (Getty Images)
A state of emergency has been declared in California, USA, due to massive wildfires engulfing homes in the suburbs of Los Angeles. The fire is spreading rapidly and threatens three districts. Over 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate from the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, popular among Hollywood stars, reports Reuters.
Los Angeles is engulfed in a wildfire
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The state authorities have declared a state of emergency #PalisadesFire #lafires pic.twitter.com/JMGcmkbw4d
The wildfire, now named the Palisades Fire, has already destroyed over 1,182 hectares of land between Santa Monica and Malibu. Strong winds and dry weather are fueling its rapid spread. According to fire department representatives, several people have been injured, including burns to faces and hands. A female firefighter was also among those injured.
Another wildfire, the Eaton Fire, broke out near Pasadena, destroying 162 hectares within a few hours. Nearly 100 residents of a senior living facility were evacuated, many in wheelchairs or on stretchers.
A third wildfire, the Hurst Fire, began in the Sylmar area in northwest Los Angeles, forcing residents to leave their homes.
Threat to cultural heritage and traffic chaos
The fire reached the grounds of the Getty Villa Museum, but preventive measures ensured that the collection of valuable artifacts remained unharmed.
Resident Cindy Festa shared that flames were nearly touching cars during the evacuation: "People left their cars on Palisades Drive. Burning up the hillside. The palm trees - everything is going."
Due to the limited number of roads to the coast, traffic came to a standstill, forcing some people to flee on foot.
Wildfires in Los Angeles (Photo: Getty Images)
Celebrity homes at risk
The National Weather Service issued a warning of the highest danger level due to strong winds (up to 130 km/h) and dry weather.
Pacific Palisades, home to many celebrities, became the epicenter of the fire. The homes of numerous stars, including Rihanna, Ben Affleck, Tyra Banks, Jennifer Aniston, Bradley Cooper, Tom Hanks, and James Woods, are under threat. The US Vice President Kamala Harris's residence is also within the evacuation zone. Actor James Woods said that he evacuated but remains unsure if his home survived. Actor Steve Guttenberg urged everyone to prioritize their lives and loved ones over property.
