Los Angeles wildfires: Five dead as flames spread across California (photos)
Firefighters in Los Angeles are battling multiple wildfires that have ravaged the city’s suburbs, prompting the mandatory evacuation of more than 80,000 residents.
The fires were ignited by a combination of dry conditions and strong winds, with authorities stating that some of the fires may be impossible to contain at this time.
Over 2,000 structures have been destroyed, and at least five people have lost their lives in the blaze.
According to the BBC, seven major fires are currently being fought:
The Palisades Fire was first reported on Tuesday at 10:30 (18:30 GMT) and quickly grew from 20 acres to over 200 acres in just 20 minutes. By Wednesday night, it had expanded to nearly 16,000 acres, forcing at least 30,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
The Eaton Fire ignited in Altadena, in the hills above Pasadena, at around 18:30 local time on Tuesday. Within six hours, it had spread across 1,000 acres. By January 8, the fire had claimed five lives and had expanded to over 10,000 acres.
The Hurst Fire began near San Fernando on Tuesday at 22:10 local time. It spread rapidly, covering 850 acres and prompting evacuation orders in neighboring Santa Clarita.
The Woodley Fire erupted in Woodley Park around 06:15 local time on Wednesday but has since been contained by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
The Olivas Fire broke out in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles, burning around 11 acres before being contained.
The Lidia Fire started at 14:00 on Wednesday in the Acton area, north of Los Angeles. It grew to nearly 350 acres but was 40% contained by 21:00 local time.
The Sunset Fire ignited at 18:00 in the Hollywood Hills, a residential area overlooking the historic Hollywood neighborhood. As of now, the fire covers around 50 acres and remains 0% contained, with a mandatory evacuation order in effect.
Several Hollywood celebrities, including Ben Affleck, Paris Hilton, Adam Brody, Eugene Levy, Miles Teller, Leighton Meester, Anna Faris, and Billy Crystal, have been forced to evacuate their homes, many of which have been destroyed by the flames.
