Over 1,100 homes have been destroyed by a wildfire spreading in Los Angeles, USA. The disaster has claimed the lives of five individuals. U.S. officials have stated that this wildfire is among the most destructive.
The fire began on Tuesday morning in Pacific Palisades, a location within the Los Angeles area of California. Pacific Palisades is situated in the Santa Monica Mountains and is a well-known tourist destination.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who visited the affected area, stated, “No one is safe from this danger.” He has declared a state of emergency in the Los Angeles area.
According to Newsom, the fire, fueled by winds blowing at 97 kilometers per hour, is devastating an area equivalent to five large football fields every five minutes. However, with winds potentially reaching speeds of 160 kilometers per hour, the situation could become even more dangerous, he warned.
Tens of thousands of people have been affected by the wildfire. The Los Angeles Times reported that over 30,000 people have already been displaced. Electricity supply to more than 28,000 homes in the region has been cut off, and schools are closed.
Rescue operations are underway to evacuate people from high-risk areas. Firefighters are actively using five helicopters and fire engines to contain the blaze, but their efforts have yet to succeed.
Officials have cited strong winds as a major challenge in controlling the fire. Dried trees, foliage, and the Santa Ana winds have intensified the wildfire. It has already caused damage to approximately 16,000 acres of land.
Videos from the scene show widespread panic as people flee the uncontrolled fire. Many abandoned their vehicles on roads, forcing authorities to use bulldozers to clear certain routes.
According to international media, prominent actors residing in the Pacific Palisades area, including Eugene Levy, James Woods, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Hamill, and Mandy Moore, have already evacuated their homes.
