United States: The Palisades Fire has been also called the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history like till now and its devastation only worsened as it continued to spread on this Friday. According to Cal Fire, the blaze, which began Tuesday morning, had already scorched nearly 20,000 acres by early Friday. Fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, the fire quickly ravaged residential neighborhoods and downtown Pacific Palisades.
Many of those regions are almost entirely burnt right now, so thousands of people have become homeless. Over 5000 structures were brought down and among them are the unknown number of homes and business premises.
Losses say in the area of tens of billions of dollars. About 10 individuals have been killed across the several fires that are burning in Southern California.
As reported by the ktla.com, this evacuation order covered the Pacific Palisades up to the Pacific Ocean; and parts of Santa Monica, Malibu and Topanga. An evacuation warning for Calabasas and its businesses was also still in force on Thursday.
At least 10 people are believed to be dead — with the Los Angeles County sheriff saying he expects that number to rise — as devastating fires spread across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions.@mattgutmanabc reports. pic.twitter.com/lVOzXJMV5e
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) January 10, 2025
The cause still remains undetermined. Woodland Hills A man was arrested on suspicion of arson near Woodland Hills on Thursday afternoon but it’s not yet clear which of the several fires across the L.A. area he could potentially be linked to. He was arrested after residents reportedly witnessed the man trying to light a fire.
Fire fighters were eventually able to make a stand against the Palisades Fire on Thursday. With no containment a day later, it was increased to 6%, this was after winds calmed down to allow for use of fixed wing aircrafts, helicopters, plus over 3000 men and women firefighters.
As for the future firefighting operations, Cal Fire issued the following statement:
“The Palisades Fire at this time being still characterized by wind driven run, topographic runs upslope.” Short range spotting is still reported: Cal Fire said in a bulletin. “Saturday’s temperatures will be moderately warm, as mid January’s average temperature.
Through the middle of next week, Sunday in particular, through Wednesday, weak to moderate Santa Ana winds prevail. The forecast for Tuesday is that there may some strong winds. “It will remain very likely that there will be severe fire weather condition through the next week.”