Firefighters were in a fierce battle early Thursday (January 9, 2025) to contain a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area that have claimed five lives, devastated communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena, and forced thousands of residents to evacuate.
The intense winds that fueled the fires and led to chaotic evacuations have subsided somewhat and are not expected to be as strong during the day. This could give firefighters a chance to make headway in controlling the fires that have spread across the region, including large blazes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
The most recent fires broke out on Wednesday evening (January 8, 2025) in the Hollywood Hills, moving closer to the heart of the city and the entertainment industry. Despite the proximity to busy neighborhoods, the streets around popular landmarks like the Hollywood Walk of Fame remained bustling as onlookers captured footage of the fires.
Firefighters were able to make significant progress on the Sunset Fire in the hills within a few hours, thanks to their quick and aggressive response and more favorable weather conditions compared to the previous day.
Strong winds on the previous day had caused embers to ignite fires in the coastal neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, resulting in the destruction of nearly 2,000 homes, businesses, and structures. The death toll from these fires stands at five from the Eaton Fire.
Evacuation orders have been issued for over 130,000 people as the fires have consumed approximately 108 square km of land. The Palisades Fire has already become the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
In Altadena, resident Jose Velasquez managed to save his home and family business selling churros by dousing the property with water as embers fell. The intensity of the winds made firefighting efforts challenging in Pasadena, where the city’s water system was strained and power outages added to the difficulties.
The widespread destruction caused by the fires is evident in satellite images showing neighborhoods reduced to rubble and charred remains. Schools, homes, and businesses have been damaged or destroyed, with celebrities like Mandy Moore and Billy Crystal among those who lost their homes.
California’s wildfire season has been prolonged due to climate change, with dry conditions and high winds exacerbating the situation. President Joe Biden declared a federal emergency in response to the fires, and Hollywood studios halted production while landmarks like the Reel Inn in Malibu were heavily damaged.
As of early Thursday (January 9, 2025), approximately 250,000 people were without power in southern California, and the fire conditions were expected to persist through Friday.
Despite the devastation, communities are coming together to support each other and rebuild in the aftermath of the fires.
Published – January 09, 2025 07:48 pm IST
