A pair of massive wildfires menacing Los Angeles from the east and west are still burning uncontained, two days after they ignited, but firefighters have managed to beat back another fire scorching the Hollywood Hills.
The Palisades fire between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city’s western flank and the Eaton fire in the east near Pasadena are already the most destructive in Los Angeles history, burning more than 11,300 hectares so far – an area exceeding the size of Disney World – and turning entire neighbourhoods to ash.
At least five people have been killed, thousands of structures have been incinerated and nearly 180,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes, officials said.
The death toll is likely to rise, Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna told a press conference on Thursday morning.
The Eaton fire’s growth has been significantly stopped, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said, although it remains uncontained.
While still fierce, winds have slowed slightly since the 160km/h gusts earlier in the week, permitting crucial aerial support for crews on the ground.
“We have a much better posture than we did on Tuesday and Wednesday,” Marrone said.
But officials warned that wind gusts of up to 100km/h were forecast to persist throughout the day, and Kristin Crowley, Los Angeles City Fire Department Chief, said residents should be prepared to leave if ordered.
“It is safe to say that the Palisades fire is one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles,” Crowley said.
Firefighters, assisted by helicopters dropping retardants and water, managed to make gains overnight in battling the Sunset Fire, which had forced mandatory evacuations in Hollywood and Hollywood Hills – including famous show-business locations such as the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame – late on Wednesday.
The fire was in retreat, shrinking to about 17 hectares, and firefighters were making forward progress, Crowley said.
No buildings were lost in the area, a city fire department spokeswoman said, and the evacuation order was lifted.
It was one of at least five separate wildfires burning in Los Angeles County on Thursday morning as powerful winds spread flames across parched ground that had been without rain for months.
Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass described it as a “perfect storm” of dangerous conditions.
The two biggest conflagrations – the Palisades and Eaton fires – formed a pincer around the city so enormous that it was visible from space.
The homes of movie stars and celebrities were among those consumed by flames, which tore through some of the world’s most lavish real estate.
“We are heartbroken of course, but with the love of children and friends we will get through this,” film star Billy Crystal and his wife Janice said, announcing the Pacific Palisades home where they had lived since 1979 had been destroyed.
Media personality Paris Hilton said she was “heartbroken beyond words” after watching her beachfront house in Malibu “burn to the ground on live TV”.
The National Weather Service extended Red Flag warnings – issued when the risk for fire is high due to low humidity, high winds and warm temperatures – for Los Angeles and Ventura counties through 6pm on Friday.
Water shortages caused some hydrants to run dry in upscale Pacific Palisades, wedged between Malibu and Santa Monica, officials said on Wednesday.
US President Joe Biden was briefed on Thursday morning on the effect of the ongoing wildfires and will meet with top administration officials in the afternoon to discuss the federal response, the White House told reporters.
Firefighters from six other US states were being rushed to California while an additional 250 engine companies with 1000 personnel were being moved from northern California to southern California, Los Angeles County Fire chief Anthony Marrone told a press conference.
https://thewest.com.au/news/natural-disasters/los-angeles-fires-rage-as-hollywood-blaze-retreats-c-17339574
