Los Angeles wildfires live: Hollywood landmark threatened as deadly blaze spreads and more residents evacuate
Death toll continues to climb as more than 7,500 firefighting personnel are deployed across California, with three of the most ferocious fires at zero percent containment
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Your support makes all the difference.At least five people have been killed as several fast-moving wildfires sweep across the Los Angeles area, leaving thousands of firefighters attempting to extinguish the blaze.
The death toll climbed to five as of Thursday morning after the Eaton fire raged through Altadena and Pasadena, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone confirmed to The New York Times.
The Palisades fire, now the one of the most destructive LA has seen, is burning more than 17,200 acres, while the Eaton fire has scorched some 10,600 acres. The Sunset fire in Hollywood has engulfed 60 acres. All three fires are at zero percent containment.
An estimated 2,000 buildings have been scorched and 130,000 residents ordered to evacuate, including more than 60,000 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. More than 330,000 people are without power throughout the region, according to PowerOutage.us.
On Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed that more than 7,500 firefighting personnel and almost 1,200 fire trucks have been deployed across Southern California. He also thanked President Joe Biden, who announced the approval of a major disaster declaration and ordered federal assistance to bolster response efforts.
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Contingency plan in place for Monday’s Vikings-Rams game, NFL says
While Monday’s Los Angeles Rams-Minnesota Vikings game is still scheduled to take place at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium, the NFL said there is a contingency plan in place if necessary due to the threat of wildfires.
If a location change is necessary, it would be played at the Arizona Cardinals’ home field, State Farm Stadium.
“We will continue to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with public officials, both clubs and the NFLPA,” the league said.
Cal Fire battalion chief says clamer winds could help firefighters
Calmer winds could help aid California firefighters’ efforts to “start to build some containment,” Brent Pascua, battalion chief with Cal Fire, told NBC’s TODAY show on Thursday.
“I believe if it stays like this we can actually turn a corner on these fires and make some progress today, some good progress. In case they pick up again later tonight we’ll have something to anchor into,” he said.
Power restored for tens of thousand, while 250k still in blackout conditions
Tens of thousands of homes and business have had their power restored, as wildfires continue to rage across the Los Angeles area.
Approximately two hours ago, 330,000 energy customers across SoCal were left in darkness, according to data from Poweroutages.us.
Now, about 72,000 properties have had their power restored, with 258,000 homes and business left powerless.
Beverly Hills evacuee: ‘It feels a little bit like the Titanic in here'
The Beverly Hills Hotel has become a place of refuge for wildfire evacuees, although portions are now a voluntary evacuation zone.
One woman who evacuated from Santa Monica with her sister and their dog told The Los Angeles Times that the vibe was “apocalyptic,” although the hotel had “made things feel like they’re not falling apart.”
“It feels a little bit like the Titanic in here,” she said. “Everyone is acting normal but everything is falling apart outside.”
More than 420,000 California customers are without power early Thursday
More than 420,000 California customers are without power early Thursday morning, according to tracker PowerOutage.US.
The lion’s share of those outages — nearly 212,000 — are in Los Angeles County.
Stunning images show firefighting efforts amid orange-colored skies, flying embers
Harrowing footage shows before and after fires ravaged Los Angeles' streets
Piles of ash line streets in videos showing extent of devastation caused by LA fires
With a death toll expected to rise and thousands of buildings destroyed, the Sunset fire that broke out in Runyon Canyon continues to engulf the Hollywood city in flames. Video shows the devastating effect the Pacific Palisade fires have left, with 150,000 people evacuated from their homes, 27,000 acres of land burned and many structures demolished. In Altadena, north of Los Angeles where the Eaton fire started, rows of houses have been turned into kilometers of ashes. Officials are now warning that the situation is likely to get worse due to high wind speeds.
Wildfires estimated to have caused up to $57 billion in damages and economic loss
The total cost of the California wildfires may reach up to $57 billion, according to AccuWeather’s estimate.
The privately-owned weather forecasting service’s preliminary estimate takes into account damage – including to buildings, infrastructure and landmarks – and loss to the economy – such as from a booming film and TV industry.
Is it safe to travel to California and is LAX closed?
Pacific Palisades is a residential community and attracts very few tourists, however, the area it sits in, Los Angeles County, is popular with visitors who are heading to the sandy shores of Venice Beach, exploring Hollywood and touring round studios and museums among many other attractions.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) sits relatively close to the Palisades fires, but so far minimal travel disruption has occurred.
Meanwhile, several roads including parts of the Pacific Coast Highway have been closed as of early Thursday morning.
LAX is around 19 miles south of Pacific Palisades, but the majority of arrivals and departures have continued as normal amid the wildfires.
Amelia Neath has the story.
Palisades fires: Is it safe to travel to California and is LAX closed?
Roads are closed but flight disruption has so far kept to a minimum as fires spread in southern Californian
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