LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Two large wildfires threatening Los Angeles from east to west remained uncontrolled on Thursday, two days after they started, but firefighters managed to control another blaze in the Hollywood Hills.
The Palisades fires — between Santa Monica and Malibu, in the east of the city, and the Eaton fire, in the west, near Pasadena — are already the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles, having burned more than 11 thousand hectares, a area larger than that of Disney World, turning entire neighborhoods into ashes.
At least five people died and thousands of buildings were set on fire, with almost 180,000 people forced to leave their homes, authorities said. At a press conference held this Thursday morning, Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said the death toll was expected to rise.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the growth of the Eaton Fire has been significantly halted, although the flames have not been contained. Although still strong, the winds have eased somewhat since the peak of around 160 km per hour observed at the beginning of the week, allowing crucial air support for ground teams.
“We have a much better position than Tuesday and Wednesday,” said Marrone.
But authorities warned that winds of approximately 97 kilometers per hour were expected to continue on Thursday. Kristin Crowley, chief of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, said residents should be prepared to leave their homes if necessary.
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“It is safe to say that the Palisades Fire is one of the most destructive natural disasters in Los Angeles history,” he said.
During the night, firefighters and helicopters made progress in fighting the Sunset fire, which forced the evacuation of people from Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills, including famous locations such as the TCL Chinese Theater and the Walk of Fame.
It is just one of five wildfires burning at the same time in Los Angeles County, with strong winds fanning flames across parched ground that has not rained in months. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the phenomenon as a “perfect storm” of dangerous conditions.
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The two largest — Palisades and Eaton — formed an arc around the city, large enough to be seen from space.
The homes of movie stars and other celebrities are among those consumed by the flames, which destroyed some of the world’s most luxurious properties.
“Of course we are heartbroken, but we will get through this with the love of children and friends,” said actor Billy Crystal and his wife Janice, announcing that the home in Pacific Palisades, where they have lived since 1979, is destroyed.
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Paris Hilton said she is “heartbroken beyond words” after watching her Malibu beach house “burn to the ground on live TV.”
The National Weather Service has extended Red Flag warnings — issued when fire risk is high due to low humidity, high winds and high temperatures — for Los Angeles and Ventura counties until 6 p.m. Friday.
Water shortages have caused some hydrants to run dry in Pacific Palisades, wedged between Malibu and Santa Monica, officials said Wednesday.
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US President Joe Biden was briefed this Thursday morning on the impact of the wildfires and will meet with officials in the afternoon to discuss the federal government’s response, the White House said.
Some residents ventured back to areas where the fire had already passed, where brick chimneys loomed over charred waste and burned-out vehicles. The remains of a tattered and singed American flag waved from a flagpole.
“I had just left my family house, where my mother lives, which was burned to ashes. I then got home and… the same thing. It’s just gray,” said Oliver Allnatt, 36 years old.
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Firefighters from six other US states were heading to California.
