At least five people have died in the fires that have ravaged a significant portion of Los Angeles. Around 2,000 structures, including many homes, have been deeply destroyed in the heart of America’s film industry.
Winds reaching speeds of 160 kilometers per hour have spread the fire over a vast area, reaching the famous ‘Hollywood Hills’ neighborhood, which continues to be devastated by the fires. One of these fires is considered the worst in the city’s history. Among the many homes completely destroyed are those of several well-known Hollywood stars.
Authorities continued their efforts to extinguish the massive fires early Thursday in the Los Angeles area, which have destroyed entire communities.
Over 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes. The fires, which began on Tuesday, have already claimed several lives and destroyed around 2,000 structures.
Dramatic footage continued throughout the night into the early hours of the morning.
Passersby attempted to save a home that was in danger of burning due to flames spreading from a nearby palm tree. Passersby communicated with the evacuated residents of the house to allow them to climb onto the roof and pour water on the tree to prevent the fire from spreading to the entire neighborhood. Many similar situations have been shared across social media.
Residents in downtown Los Angeles gathered on the famous Hollywood Boulevard, home to some of the most iconic points of the film industry, to watch as the fire approached the city.
“I’m really scared because we had an inspection today and they told us the fire wouldn’t be able to cross the hills. When we came out here to the boulevard, I started crying. It’s really frightening. I know it’s more frightening for the people who’ve lost their homes, but it’s really scary to think the fire is so close to us,” said Allison Martin, a city resident.
Aerial images show the fire spreading across the city and surrounding areas, while before-and-after footage highlights the massive scale of the destruction.
President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for California, authorizing funds and other resources for the disaster. The White House also announced that President Biden canceled a previously scheduled visit to Italy due to the situation in Los Angeles.
“I know the world is watching the images of our city’s destruction. I saw the battlefields with fire, and they are shocking,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass late Wednesday.
By Thursday morning, four fires were still active in Los Angeles, including the hills in the western part of the city where most of Hollywood’s celebrity homes are located.
Among those whose homes have been completely destroyed are actors Billy Crystal and Mandy Moore. City officials noted that the situation was changing by the moment.
“Currently, the fire has covered an area of over 6,300 hectares. I want to make it clear that this incident is very dynamic, and the situation is changing by the moment,” said Kristin Crowley, head of the Los Angeles Fire Department, as reported by VOA.
California is currently experiencing what is known as the mountain fire season. This season, however, has started earlier and will likely end later due to rising temperatures and drought caused by environmental changes.
The rains that usually mark the end of the fire season have been delayed, meaning that fires may continue to burn throughout the winter months.
While authorities are battling massive fires, Republicans and Democrats have exchanged accusations regarding the situation. Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, have accused California and Los Angeles’ Democratic leadership of mismanaging the situation, while Democrats have blamed their rivals for exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
