Large-scale fires broke out overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday in Los Angeles, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents while more than 13,000 buildings are threatened by the flames. Fires are currently ravaging the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood as well as the Santa Monica and Malibu areas.
Weather conditions and strong winds are contributing to the rapid spread of flames in the city’s hills, a popular residential area where many celebrities and actors live. According to local media, wind gusts are expected to continue in the coming days, with peaks of up to 160 km/h, which could cause the fires to spread.
California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that several buildings have already been destroyed. “I have already seen the destruction of certain structures,” he said. The authorities specify that the origin of the fires remains unknown for the moment.
According to initial reports, the fire has already consumed around five kilometers of land. Residents of neighboring neighborhoods testify to the extent of the damage, describing “considerable destruction” in the area. Although no casualties have been reported yet, authorities are concerned about widespread power outages that could affect hundreds of thousands of people.
Emergency services have implemented a large evacuation operation, particularly in the Pacific Palisades area, where the flames are directly threatening many luxury properties. The mobilization of firefighters continues while unfavorable weather conditions complicate their intervention.
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