Los Angeles wildfires force mass evacuations as winds worsen
Three areas of Los Angeles resemble hell. The region is struggling with massive wildfires that are spreading "incredibly quickly," as a California firefighter told NBC. Almost 100,000 people are under evacuation orders.
Since Tuesday, three wildfires have been raging in the Los Angeles area, spreading at an alarming rate. A California firefighter emphasized in a conversation with NBC that the situation is extremely serious.
Firefighter Robert Foxworthy urged residents to evacuate by car immediately in dangerous situations, warning that the fire’s rapid movement could block escape routes unexpectedly.
The fires have affected, among other areas, the celebrity neighborhood of Pacific Palisades and the areas around Sylmar and Altadena. Sheriece Wallace, a Los Angeles resident, recounted how she unexpectedly learned about the danger when a helicopter dropped water over her home. "I thought it was raining," Wallace said. No, it's not raining. There's a fire in front of your house. You need to leave," her sister instructed.
Fires in California
The fires are fuelled by strong winds, which further complicates the efforts of the firefighters. Mayor Karen Bass warned through social media about the worsening weather conditions. "The wind is picking up," she stated. Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, described the situation as one of the worst ever seen in this region.
At least 1,400 firefighters are taking part in the firefighting operation. California Governor Gavin Newsom reported on the scale of service involvement. The California Firefighters Association urged people not to approach areas engulfed by fire, emphasizing the danger of inhaling toxic smoke.
The fires caused power outages for nearly 300,000 customers in Southern California. Classes at 19 schools were cancelled. The state attorney's office reminded that price gouging during a state of emergency is a crime, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or a year in jail.
Earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on the issue of the fires. He emphasized that the services do everything possible to deal with the threat. "I urge the residents of the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles to stay vigilant and listen to local officials," he announced.
