Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes due to a wildfire that broke out Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, L.A, spreading rapidly over an area of nearly 3,000 acres.
Authorities say the flames may continue to spread in the coming hours due to strong winds. The Los Angeles Fire Department stated that the Palisades fire, a coastal area between Santa Monica and Malibu, started at 10:30 a.m. near 1190 North Piedra Morada Dr. The blaze threatened more than 10,000 homes, while authorities were able to evacuate no fewer than 30,000 local residents.
“We’re not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination,” Governor Gavin Newsom said Tuesday afternoon, adding that the state has sent 110 fire trucks to Southern California. Forecasters say that the 60 mph wind gusts could reach as high as 100 mph in the higher elevations of the region.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said it has received several reports from people injured by the flames; some members of the fire department also suffered burns. At the moment, there are no casualties.
Yesterday, as the flames advanced faster and faster, some motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles to get to safety. According to firefighters, at least 30 vehicles were abandoned in the streets. Many of the people who had to leave their homes, however, found shelter at the Westwood Recreation Center.
Worrying fire officials now are the winds, the intensity of which could complicate firefighting operations. The “Particularly Dangerous Situation” alert issued by the National Weather Service, therefore, will remain in effect until at least Wednesday afternoon. At the same time, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency.
“My team and I are in touch with state and local officials, and I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire,” said the president Biden, “Earlier tonight, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs. My Administration will do everything it can to support the response.”
The situation in Pacific Palisades was complicated yesterday when the Los Angeles area was hit by more wildfires that broke out in the Eaton Canyon area and in the San Fernando Valley. In these cases, too, the flames forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
