A video released by the California Department of Forestry and Fire this Wednesday (8) indicates the strong destructive power of the fires hitting Los Angeles.
Images show flames engulfing a house and downed power lines swaying amid strong winds.
Watch the video:
Fire out of control
Los Angeles County, California, the most populous county in the United States, is being hit by rapid spread due to dry weather and strong winds since Tuesday afternoon (7).
At least two deaths were reported and a “significant” number of people were injured, according to Anthony C. Marrone, fire chief. The largest fire, in Pacific Palisades, destroyed a thousand structures and burned more than 2,000 hectares.
The city still on Tuesday, while 100,000 people were under notice to vacate their homes.
Wind and dry weather worsen the scenario
Wind gusts are approaching 170 km/h. The wind makes fighting difficult, authorities reported that some aircraft had to land early on Tuesday (7) due to the wind. The forecast is that the gusts will worsen during this Wednesday (8).
“This will likely be the most destructive windstorm since 2011, which caused extensive damage to Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley region,” the National Weather Service warned.
Climate emergency
California has experienced a stark difference in weather between regions, with above-average rainfall in the north of the state, while some southern parts have not seen more than six millimeters of rain since early July last year.
Fires, both natural and man-made, but scientists say global warming tends to cause increasingly intense and severe fires.
