Wildfires in Southern California: Five dead, mass evacuations
Fires in southern California have already claimed five lives and destroyed over 1,100 buildings, reports "The Los Angeles Times." The situation has disrupted the local community, leading to school closures and suspending flights and public events.
Due to the fires in Los Angeles County, at least five people have died, and more than 1,100 buildings have been destroyed. All fatalities were recorded in Altadena and Pasadena, where the fire left residents with little time to evacuate, according to "The Los Angeles Times."
Firefighters are contending with extreme conditions, including strong winds and dry vegetation. In Eaton, 32,500 residents were evacuated, and 37,000 people were forced to leave their homes in Pacific Palisades. Additionally, firefighters encountered issues in Pacific Palisades with a lack of water in the hydrants, complicating efforts to suppress the fire.
Drone footage shows the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, which is home to about 23,000 residents. Estimates suggest that about 75% of the area has been destroyed.
Water companies in Altadena have warned residents against drinking tap water due to potential contamination from the fire. An alert was issued because some structures were destroyed, and water pressure decreased, potentially allowing harmful substances to enter the system.
Hundreds of schools in the Los Angeles area have been closed due to extreme fire danger and poor air quality. Palisades Charter High School, known from the movie Grease, has suffered significant damage, with many sports facilities destroyed.
Elon Musk published a dramatic video from Los Angeles County, highlighting one of the regions significantly impacted by the blaze.
Smoke from the fires in Los Angeles is making the air difficult to breathe. The fire has consumed over 10,000 hectares (ha) in two days, releasing significant amounts of smoke and soot.
