Los Angeles is in crisis as massive wildfires continue to rage across the region, leaving destruction in their wake. With flames consuming hillsides above Hollywood Boulevard and beyond, the fires have already claimed five lives, destroyed thousands of buildings, and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, stretching from the Pacific coastline to Pasadena.
The latest fire, named the “Sunset Fire,” broke out on Wednesday at 5:45 p.m., just as local officials were holding a press conference to update the public on the escalating situation. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley had to abruptly end the briefing to issue an immediate evacuation order for the Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas.
The normally bustling Hollywood Walk of Fame was thrown into chaos, with sirens wailing, helicopters hovering low over the flames, and tourists and locals scrambling to flee. Fortunately, firefighters managed to contain the blaze in this area within hours, with Captain Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department praising the quick response: “We acted swiftly and with determination, and the weather was a bit kinder than the day before.”
But the fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena are far from under control. The “Palisades Fire” has already been labeled the most destructive in the city’s history, with at least 1,000 buildings reduced to ash, including the iconic Palisades Charter High School and the homes of celebrities like Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal. Historic properties, including former residences of writers Lion Feuchtwanger and Thomas Mann, are also in the fire’s path. The Getty Villa, however, was spared, thanks to advanced firefighting measures and a significant water reserve.
Power outages have affected over 367,000 residents, with the hardest-hit areas being Los Angeles County (199,381) and Ventura County (65,969), along with smaller outages in San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego counties.
Governor Gavin Newsom has mobilized over 600 National Guard members to assist in firefighting efforts, along with 10 helicopters and two C-130 aircraft.
Experts say the fires have been fueled by the notorious Santa Ana winds, which are pushing the flames at speeds of up to 80 mph, making it nearly impossible for firefighters to gain control. Conditions are expected to worsen through the weekend due to a combination of months of drought and record-high temperatures driven by climate change.
Since the first fires were reported on Tuesday, more than 26 square miles of land have burned — nearly the size of San Francisco. Entire neighborhoods, from the upscale homes of Pacific Palisades to the modest bungalows, have been reduced to rubble. Hollywood itself hasn’t been spared: production on numerous films and TV shows has been halted, and Universal Studios closed its theme park.
Many evacuees who fled south, beyond the airport, discovered that other fires had broken out further south. The direction of the wind is key — as it shifts, embers can spread to new areas, sparking fresh outbreaks. Some evacuees have resorted to sleeping in their cars, ready to flee again if the fires shift toward their location.
The chaos has also extended to pets, with many animals being left behind as people rushed to escape. A network of shelters and rescue centers is working tirelessly to care for the abandoned animals.
In a move to prioritize the crisis, President Joe Biden, who is in California, announced he would cancel his planned visit to Rome. The president has signed a federal emergency declaration to ensure California receives additional resources for firefighting efforts.
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has criticized Governor Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Fire Chief Crowley for allegedly failing to prepare the city’s water infrastructure. Trump claims the city’s water reservoirs were not adequately filled before the fires began. However, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) had reportedly filled all available reservoirs, but the demand for water surged to unprecedented levels, draining the supply. Efforts to refill the reservoirs were further hampered by the ongoing fires. Tanker trucks have been deployed to support firefighters in the meantime.
