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Los Angeles is currently witnessing raging wildfires, especially in the Pacific Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst regions, which have left entire neighborhoods up in flames, causing unprecedented destruction in several areas.
Knewz.com has learned that the widespread fires have claimed two fatalities already, with over 1,000 homes and businesses having burned down.
It has been reported that extreme Santa Ana winds – defined as strong, extremely dry downslope winds that originate inland and affect coastal Southern California and the Baja California region – have been fueling the blaze, with 80 mph gusts spreading the fires in the Palisades, Altadena, and Pasadena areas.
Reports have further mentioned that these Santa Ana winds are "the worst in over a decade," with wind speeds reaching 99 mph in Altadena and surrounding areas.
According to officials, the raging wildfires spread to the "rich and highly populated" neighborhoods of Los Angeles, including the homes of Hollywood celebrities.
Film and television stars like Mark Hamill, James Woods, and Mandy Moore were forced to leave their homes as the fires spread.
Officials reported that at least 70,000 people were ordered to evacuate the affected areas, although the number is constantly updating with new evacuation orders being issued.
The Los Angeles Fire Department provided a rundown of the entire wildfire situation in a press conference on January 8, saying:
"We have well over 5,000 acres that have burned, and the fire is growing. We have no percentage of containment. We have an estimated 1,000 structures destroyed, and also no reported fatalities and a high number of significant injuries to residents who did not evacuate."
"In addition to first responders who are on the fire land, we have over 1,000 personnel assigned, and the cause of the fire is unknown. However, it is under investigation," said Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone regarding the wildfires in the Pacific Palisades.
Regarding the situation in Eaton, Chief Marrone said:
"We have over 2,000 acres burning at this time, and the fire continues to grow with 0% containment. We have over 500 personnel assigned and, unfortunately, we have two reported fatalities to civilians, unknown cause at this time, and we do have a number of significant injuries."
"We have over 100 structures destroyed, and the cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation," Marrone added.
Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley chimed in, saying, "We are absolutely not out of danger yet... Within the city of Los Angeles, with these two major brush fires, our department has responded to 3,624 9-1-1 calls for service. And to put that in perspective, our average is just under 1,500 calls in a 24-hour period."
It has been reported that the wildfires have consumed a total of about 22 square miles, with reports mentioning that the flames "moved so quickly that many had little time to escape."
"Police sought shelter inside their patrol cars, and residents at a senior living center were pushed in wheelchairs and hospital beds down a street to safety in the foothills northeast of [Los Angeles]," reports mentioned.
A 39-year-old producer and director from Pasadena named Jennie Girardo said in a statement to reporters, "When I opened my door, it smelled like I was living inside of a fireplace... Then I also started to see the ash. And I’ve never seen that in my life. Like raining ash."
California Governor Gavin Newsom said that over 1,400 firefighters had been deployed to deal with the blazing inferno that has engulfed Los Angeles, "with assistance from both nearby and out-of-state departments and further asks out to anyone with firefighting experience," according to reports.