Wildfires raging across Los Angeles have claimed at least five lives, destroyed approximately 1,500 buildings, and forced over 100,000 residents to evacuate, officials reported on Wednesday. Firefighters are battling the blazes’ unprecedented speed and intensity, including a significant fire in Hollywood.
Hurricane-force winds created firestorms that swept through Pacific Palisades, one of California’s most luxurious neighborhoods, destroying countless homes favored by Hollywood celebrities. As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire had consumed around 16,000 acres (6,500 hectares) and over 1,000 structures.
A new fire erupted Wednesday evening in the Hollywood Hills, near landmarks like Hollywood Boulevard, prompting immediate evacuation orders. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone admitted that the scale of the disaster had overwhelmed fire crews, with resources stretched thin.
In Altadena, a separate 10,600-acre (4,300-hectare) blaze devastated suburban neighborhoods, taking up to 500 buildings. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed five fatalities but warned that more deaths might be uncovered as the fires remain uncontained.
William Gonzales, an Altadena resident, shared the heartbreak of losing his home: “The flames consumed everything; our dreams are gone.”
Firefighting efforts have been hindered by water shortages, with hydrants in Pacific Palisades running dry. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Chief Janisse Quinones urged residents to conserve water. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden canceled a trip to Italy to oversee the federal response to the fires, pledging comprehensive support.
Experts attribute the crisis to human-induced climate change, which has created extreme drought followed by excessive vegetation growth, leaving the region primed to burn. Meteorologists have noted that unusually strong winds, gusting up to 100 mph (160 km/h), have intensified the disaster.
AccuWeather estimates the economic losses could reach $57 billion, with over 300,000 households in the region currently without power.
