In a harrowing turn of events, wildfires continue to ravage the Los Angeles region, resulting in at least five fatalities as thousands of residents are forced to evacuate. A significant portion of the city is under threat due to a newly ignited fire in the Hollywood Hills, adding to the challenges already faced by firefighters battling what is being labeled as the worst wildfire in the city’s history. More than 100,000 individuals have received mandatory evacuation orders as flames spread.
The Sunset Fire is currently raging close to the Hollywood Bowl and is situated just about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. The streets surrounding famous landmarks like Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussauds are choked with stop-and-go traffic as emergency sirens blare and helicopters fly overhead, dropping water on the encroaching flames. Meanwhile, evacuees are seen leaving hotels carrying luggage, while some curious onlookers approach the fire, filming the chaos on their mobile devices.
In Pasadena, an urgent alert has been issued regarding unsafe drinking water in areas affected by the recent evacuations resulting from the Eaton Fire. The local water supply may be compromised due to debris and increased turbidity, prompting city officials to advise residents to refrain from consuming tap water. Instead, they are encouraged to use bottled water for all needs, including drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and caring for pets. Efforts to treat the water through boiling, filtering, or using disinfectants are considered ineffective and unsafe. Pasadena Water and Power has committed to monitoring the situation and will provide updates, though a timeline for resolution remains uncertain and is contingent on ongoing fire and wind conditions.
Although winds subsided somewhat on Wednesday, following a day when hurricane-force gusts propelled embers across neighborhoods, igniting multiple blocks, the danger persists with four wildfires still burning uncontrollably. Hundreds of firefighters from other states have arrived to assist local teams. Unfortunately, the destruction has already impacted more than half a dozen schools, including the well-known Palisades Charter High School, which has appeared in numerous Hollywood productions, such as the 1976 film "Carrie" and the series "Teen Wolf." Additionally, UCLA has canceled classes for the entire week.
The Dolby Theatre, another landmark in the area where the Oscars are held, faced disruptions as the announcement of next week's Oscar nominations has been postponed by two days due to the fire. The Sunset Fire, although relatively small, has positioned itself dangerously close to Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame, needing only to cross the 101 Freeway to threaten the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory located further up in the hills.
In Studio City, a structure fire has destroyed at least two homes and spread to nearby brush, as confirmed by live television coverage. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that more than 50 firefighters contained the blaze without any injuries reported. Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles stated that aerial operations are ongoing to combat the flames but cautioned that “erratic winds” still pose a risk, particularly following Tuesday evening’s conditions when aircraft were grounded and significant damage occurred.
Fire Chief Chad Augustin of Pasadena reported that between 200 and 500 structures have either been damaged or lost due to the Eaton Fire, which ignited Tuesday night. He noted that the city’s water system is under strain, exacerbated by power outages, and even without these complications, firefighters would have struggled to contain the fire due to the fierce winds.
On the west side of Los Angeles, the Palisades Fire has scorched an astonishing 15,832 acres (6,406 hectares) and destroyed hundreds of properties in the hills between Santa Monica and Malibu, racing down Topanga Canyon before reaching the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday. Among the casualties of the fire was a home reportedly belonging to Hollywood actors Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, as aerial footage revealed extensive destruction across the Pacific Palisades area, with smoldering homes and sporadic flames still visible.
To the east, the Eaton Fire has consumed another 10,600 acres (4,289 hectares), claimed 1,000 structures, and resulted in at least five fatalities. Law enforcement officials have arrested three individuals for looting amidst the chaos. Private forecaster AccuWeather has estimated the initial damage and economic losses to exceed $50 billion.
Zainab Y.
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