- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 08 Jan 2025 06:17 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Extreme winds fueled a wildfire that tore through a hillside in Los Angeles, spreading rapidly through the Pacific Palisades and destroying homes in its path. The blaze, which began on Tuesday, quickly grew into a dangerous inferno, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes.
In the chaotic rush to escape, roadways became gridlocked, and many residents abandoned their vehicles, running for safety with only their belongings in hand. The Associated Press reported that some evacuees carried suitcases while navigating the perilous terrain. Heart-wrenching videos have surfaced online, capturing the real-time devastation as flames engulf homes and spread through the upscale neighbourhood.
The fire has burned approximately 2,900 acres so far, prompting California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency. Around 30,000 residents have been evacuated, and emergency services are working tirelessly to contain the blaze.
Frightening images and videos of the Southern California wildfire have surfaced online, highlighting the widespread damage. One video, captured from a plane, shows orange flames spreading rapidly across the region as firefighting efforts continue to contain the blaze.
I live in Los Angeles
— Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) January 8, 2025
This is the view from my office as the Palisades Fire starts to move East towards Brentwood
The fiber internet at my house went out, but we have Starlink so my wife is still online
It’s a life saving product pic.twitter.com/LBXTKAM66B
Another video captures dozens of homes engulfed by the wildfire, showcasing the scale of destruction.
Excuse me for the question, but I’ve been following the dramatic situation in California
— Mambo Italiano (@mamboitaliano__) January 8, 2025
I struggle to fully understand the dynamics of these fires
Are these wildfires caused intentionally, through negligence, or are they accidental and then worsened by atmospheric conditions? pic.twitter.com/PAMSNppHMX
In a swift response, over 1,400 firefighters have been deployed to battle the flames, working through the night to protect lives and property. Governor Newsom acknowledged their efforts on social media, saying, "Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives."
California has deployed 1400+ firefighting personnel & hundreds of prepositioned assets to combat these unprecedented fires in LA.
— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 8, 2025
Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives.
Adding to the urgency, winds are expected to intensify, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph overnight, threatening to worsen the already dire situation. In nearby Altadena, another fire ignited hours later, further stretching firefighting resources.
As the fires rage on, the community remains vigilant and resilient, hoping for swift containment and recovery in the face of this natural disaster.
Pacific Palisades In Los Angeles, California, Where Strong Winds Are Rapidly Spreading A Devastating Forest Fire Thousands Of Kilometers Across...🔥#BreakingNews #PalisadesFire #LosAngeles #California #CaliforniaWildfires #PalisadesWildfires pic.twitter.com/AWxmh4MDp9
— Ashish Kushwaha (@AshiishKushwaha) January 8, 2025
