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Wildfires latest: Pacific Palisades fire is most destructive in Los Angeles history
LOS ANGELES, CA (AP) — Fierce wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, sending residents fleeing from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke. Thousands of firefighters were battling at least three separate blazes on Wednesday, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena. One of the fires was the most destructive in the modern history of the city of LA.
Here’s the latest:
Multiple states sending firefighters
Firefighters from multiple states have arrived or are on the way to help with the fires, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a media briefing Wednesday afternoon.
He said 60 teams were coming from Oregon, 45 from Washington state, 15 from Utah, 10 from New Mexico and “numerous” teams were coming from Arizona.
Another fire has broken out in the Hollywood Hills, officials say
As officials were providing a media update about the fires around 5:50 p.m., Los Angeles city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley announced that a new blaze had broken out in the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon.
She said all available resources were responding and excused herself to attend to that blaze.
All Los Angeles Unified School District schools will be closed Thursday
All schools will be closed Thursday in the Los Angeles Unified School District because of the fires, Alberto Carvalho, district superintendent, said during a media briefing.
Two elementary schools in the district have been destroyed by fire, he said.
In a statement on its website, the district said, “The confluence of factors – wind, fire, and smoke – have created dangerous, complex situations that present unsafe conditions for our school communities.”
3 people have been arrested for looting, officials say
Three people have been arrested for looting in fire-affected areas, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a media briefing Wednesday afternoon.
“That is 100 percent unacceptable,” he said.
Los Angeles County has lost several facilities to fire, officials say
Los Angeles County has lost several facilities to fire, including the Eaton Canyon nature center and a senior center, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said at a media briefing Wednesday afternoon.
She also said a sheriff’s station had been evacuated because of fire. It wasn’t clear if it had been damaged.
100,000 people have received notices to evacuate due to Eaton fire, officials say
Authorities gave an update Wednesday afternoon on the Eaton fire near Pasadena that exploded in high winds Tuesday, causing at least five deaths.
Here’s a few facts and figures they shared:
1. The Eaton fire has consumed over 16.5 square miles (42.7 square kilometers) and is so far uncontained.
2. Between 200 and 500 structures have been damaged or destroyed.
3. About 100,000 people have received notices to evacuate.
4. At least five school campuses in Altadena have suffered substantial fire damage.
5. Embers carried by winds in the 70-mph range started dozens of fires Tuesday night, igniting block after block as they flew through the air.
6. 750 firefighters are working to halt the blaze, with more on the way.
7. More than 250 pets have been taken in by the Pasadena Humane Society in the past 24 hours.
Weather conditions conducive to fires to continue through Friday, forecasters say
The National Weather Service says gusty winds and very dry conditions would continue to fuel fires in the Los Angeles area.
Forecasters predicted wind gusts of 35-55 mph (56-88 kph), which could rise higher in the mountains and foothills. Meteorologists said Los Angeles and Ventura counties would have weather conducive to fire through Friday, meaning low relative humidity, strong winds, unstable air and drought.
But winds have dissipated enough for aircraft to assist in fighting the fires, Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustine said.
“Tonight we have very mild wind conditions where we can get aircraft and a ton of additional resources getting their hands around this fire,” Augustin said. “That’s what gives me confidence that we’re going to get a handle on this fire.”
The fire chief warned that it was still an active fire with risk of spread over the next day.