Los Angeles officials pleaded with residents to heed evacuation orders Wednesday as strong winds continued to fan the flames of the deadly and destructive wildfires around the county.
Two fatalities were reported in the Eaton Fire, which had spread over more than 10,000 acres and was producing unhealthy to hazardous air quality, according to forecasters.
Wildfires had also resulted in significant injuries, although it was not immediately clear how many people had been hurt. A 25-year-old female firefighter was among them, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Erik Scott.
The wildfires have resulted in the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, including more than 30,000 residents in Pacific Palisades. Some residents included celebrities, such as actors James Woods and Cary Elwes.
Dangerous wind conditions were not expected to let up until the end of the week. California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency, and the state’s National Guard was working to aid firefighters.
“This is not a normal Red Flag,” Kevin McGowan, the Director of the L.A. County Office of Emergency Management, said.
The Palisades Fire has spread over more than 11,000 acres
The Palisades Fire has spread over 11,802 acres, according to data from Cal Fire.
Including acreage from other recent fires, including the new Olivas and Woodley Fires, 23,143 acres have been burned in the region over the last two days.
Gleeful young adults spotted grinning for selfies while deadly California wildfires rage behind them
Trump blames Biden for having no FEMA money, water in ‘the fire hydrants’
“NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!”
NFL says it’s monitoring wildfires ahead of Vikings-Rams game
The National Football League assured that it was monitoring the wildfires in Southern California ahead of the upcoming Rams-Vikings game on Monday night.
“The NFL continues to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with both clubs and the NFLPA,” the league wrote in a statement shared with ESPN.
Eaton Fire is shifting into residential neighborhoods, mayor warns
The expanding Eaton fire is now advancing into Pasadena’s residential neighborhoods, according to the city’s mayor.
“We’re hoping that we’re able to bring in air resources, which we were not able to do overnight,” he said.
Pasadena Water and Power says its experiencing technical difficulties
Critics Choice Awards postponed due to wildfires
The Critics Choice Awards have been postponed due to the wildfires in Southern California, Deadline reported.
Pasadena residents sob as they learn they’ve ‘lost everything’
Outside the Pasadena Convention Center, an evacuation center, a man reportedly told his wife that their home had been destroyed and they had lost everything.
The woman fell to her knees, sobbing, as her husband embraced her, The New York Times said.
They sat on the ground, crying, and strangers asked if the woman needed help.
“We lost everything,” the man shouted back.
Five football fields a minute: How a perfect storm of extreme weather set off Los Angeles wildfires
Trump hits Governor Gavin Newsom on wildfire response ‘This is not Government’
As of this moment, Gavin Newscum and his Los Angeles crew have contained exactly ZERO percent of the fire. It is burning at levels that even surpass last night. This is not Government. I can’t wait till January 20th!
Source: independent.co.uk