A large fire broke out in Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood located about 30 kilometers from Los Angeles, California. Caused by violent winds and low humidity, the disaster has already consumed nearly 300 hectares of vegetation and threatened many homes.
Local authorities quickly issued a vigilance alert in the face of these extreme weather conditions. On the X Platform (formerly Twitter), Governor Gavin Newsom said: “The southern part of the state is facing high winds and extreme fire risks. » These winds, which could reach up to 160 km/h, favored the rapid progression of the flames. Faced with this critical situation, more than 250 firefighters from Los Angeles and neighboring counties were mobilized to try to bring the fire under control. According to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, crews are “fighting aggressively” against the advancing flames.
Authorities also ordered the evacuation of several residents, warning of a “potential threat to life and property.” Traffic is heavily disrupted in the area, with several highways closed and abandoned vehicles on major roads, including Sunset Boulevard and Palisades Drive. Bulldozers were deployed to clear the blocked axes. Large plumes of smoke are visible from Los Angeles, the second most populous city in the United States. Daniel Swain, an expert on extreme weather events at UCLA, called the episode “the strongest wind event in this region since 2011.”
No casualties have been reported so far. Gov. Gavin Newsom urged residents to follow evacuation orders and remain vigilant. This event also disrupted President Joe Biden’s visit to California on Tuesday, where he was to announce the creation of new protected areas in the state.
