January 8th 2025.
On Tuesday, two wildfires caused chaos in Los Angeles. The first one, dubbed the Eaton fire, started in Altadena near a nature preserve around 6:30 p.m. It spread so quickly that staff at a nearby senior care center had to evacuate their residents, some of whom were in wheelchairs and hospital beds. They had to push them down the street to a parking lot where they waited for ambulances to take them to safety.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood along the coast, another fire broke out earlier in the day and continued to burn out of control well into the night. The Los Angeles Fire Department issued an urgent call for off-duty firefighters to help battle the flames, which were being fueled by winds reaching up to 60 mph. The strong winds also made it impossible for firefighting aircraft to fly, making the situation even more difficult.
The Pacific Palisades fire forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes and destroyed several structures. The roads were packed as people tried to flee, causing a traffic jam that blocked emergency vehicles from reaching the area. To clear a path, a bulldozer had to be brought in to move abandoned cars to the side. Governor Gavin Newsom, who was in Southern California for another event, made a detour to see the damage firsthand. He was shocked to find many structures already destroyed and declared a state of emergency.
The situation in Altadena was no better, with the Eaton fire burning through homes and forcing more evacuations. The winds were expected to get even stronger overnight and continue for several more days, creating a dangerous situation for residents. Newsom warned that the worst of the winds were yet to come and urged people to take precautions.
As of Tuesday evening, over 28,000 households were without power, and another 15,000 had their power shut off preemptively to prevent potential fires. The Pacific Palisades fire had already burned 4.6 square miles of land, sending a huge plume of smoke into the air that could be seen from miles away. The situation was made worse by the fact that several other fires were also burning in the area.
The Pacific Coast Highway and Interstate 10 were closed to non-essential traffic to make room for evacuations, but other roads were blocked as well. Many residents had to abandon their cars and flee on foot, while others waited to be picked up. Kelsey Trainor, a resident of the affected area, described the chaos and panic as flames jumped from one side of the road to the other. Actor James Woods also shared footage of the fire burning near his home, and actor Steve Guttenberg helped move cars out of the way to make room for fire trucks.
The fire also caused disruptions in the entertainment industry, with film studios canceling premieres and schools temporarily relocating students. The winds and dry weather conditions have been a major factor in the spread of these wildfires, and there is no sign of rain in the forecast. The Getty Villa, a museum dedicated to ancient Greek and Roman art, was partially damaged by the fire, but the staff and collection remained safe.
Despite the challenges, firefighters continue to work tirelessly to contain the fires and protect the community. The state of California has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help cover the costs of fighting the fires. President Joe Biden, who was supposed to make an appearance in the area, had to cancel his plans and instead offered his support to the affected residents. The situation remains unpredictable, and officials are urging people to stay vigilant and follow evacuation orders to stay safe.
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