‘Insane Scenario’ As Danger Far From Over In California Wildfires
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Residents across the Los Angeles area are trying to come to grips with the incredible destruction left behind by wildfires since Tuesday, as firefighters still battle the flames.
“It’s just an insane scenario right now. Like, I can’t believe that this all across L.A., like this is just happening and it’s completely out of control,” Dylan Vincent, who lives in Pacific Palisades, told The Associated Press.
The Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire are now among the top 5 most destructive wildfires ever recorded in California. At least 10 people are dead and more than 10,000 homes and other structures destroyed.
Calmer winds on Thursday helped firefighters make significant gains on slowing down the major fires, but containment still appears to be far away.
And fires are still starting. On Thursday evening the Kenneth Fire began burning in the San Fernando Valley just miles from a school that became a shelter for people escaping one of the other fires. More evacuations were called as the flames spread.
In all, fires in and around Los Angeles have eaten through more than 55 square miles of land. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna compared the destruction to the aftermath of an atomic bomb. Drone footage showed neighborhoods where only the outlines of homes and yards were recognizable.
The flames are being fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds and dry conditions. A red flag warning, which indicates dangerous fire conditions, remains in place until Friday evening.
Where The Fires Are Burning And How Big They Are:
- Palisades Fire in the Los Angeles community of Pacific Palisades, more than 31 square miles burned, with 8% containment.
- Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County around Altadena and Angeles National Forest, around 21 square miles burned, with 3% containment.
- Kenneth Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, about 1.5 square miles burned with 35% containment.
- Hurst Fire, north of San Fernando in Los Angeles County, more than 1.5 square miles burned with 37% containment.
- Lidia Fire, in the Angeles National Forest, more than .5 miles burned with 75% containment.
Here are our live updates as the firefighting battle continued Thursday:
(5:13 p.m. ET) Federal Government Will Pay For Cleanup
President Joe Biden pledged that the federal government will cover all cleanup costs for six months after the wildfires.
Biden approved a major disaster declaration yesterday for communities affected by the fires.
(5:08 p.m. ET) Lost Contact With A Friend Or Loved One?
Los Angeles County officials say anyone looking for friends, neighbors or relatives they haven’t heard from should contact the Red Cross at 800-675-5799. Those affected by the fires can also call to inform family members they are safe.
(4:08 p.m. ET) ‘Forced Out’ While Trying To Save A Neighbor’s Home
From area resident Tim Pingel: “I was forced out yesterday while trying to save my neighbors home with the swimming pool water. I’m trying to get back to see if that home was lost or not.”
(3:22 p.m. ET) Home After Home Gone
Drone video takes us inside areas damaged by the Palisades Fire. Homes are left in smoking piles of debris, while flames lick at others.
Click here to see the full almost unbelievable devastation.
(3:11 p.m. ET) Pasadena: Don’t Drink The Water In Areas Affected By Fire
The Eaton Fire may have contaminated some of Pasadena’s water supply, according to news release from the city. Several reservoirs and pump stations were damaged, which could expose drinking water to potential debris and other substances.
“In the impacted areas, do not drink tap water – Bottled water should be used for all drinking (including baby formula and juice), brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice and food preparation until further notice,” the news release says.
The city also notes that pets or animals shouldn’t drink the water, and boiling or otherwise treating it won’t make it safe.
(2:52 p.m. ET) The Danger Isn’t Over
From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman: “A tiny bit of good news was that Thursday’s winds were nowhere near as extreme nor widespread as Wednesday. But these nagging, lingering Santa Ana winds will last into Friday.
After a brief break in the winds Saturday, more Santa Ana winds are possible early next week.
Meanwhile, there’s little to no significant rain in sight to what has been a record dry “rainy season” so far both at LAX and San Diego.
(2:21 p.m. ET) Airlines Warn Of Possible Travel Disruptions
Major airlines including Southwest, United and Delta are warning that wildfires and high winds could affect flights to Southern California cities including Burbank and Los Angeles. Rules vary by airlines, but most are allowing passengers to change their flights without penalty until at least Friday or Saturday.
(1:48 p.m. ET) Power Outages Top 400,000
More Than 420,000 customers are without power in Southern California according to PowerOutage.us. Here are the counties with the largest numbers of reported outages right now:
- Los Angeles County: 212,743
- San Bernardino County: 86,518
- Ventura County: 63,287
- Riverside County: 39,322
- San Diego County: 5,963
- Kern County: 2,805
(1:28 p.m. ET) A Visual Look At The Wildfire Destruction
Photos from the scenes of the blazes show how devastating they truly are. Here’s a look at some of the scenes around Los Angeles County this week.
(AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
(AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
(AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
(AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
(1:04 p.m. ET) Several Schools Closed
All Los Angeles Unified District schools and offices are closed Thursday. The district will decide by 4 p.m. whether schools will reopen on Friday. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District schools are all schools Thursday as well.
Here are some other districts that are closed Thursday:
- Alhambra Unified School District
- Arcadia Unified School District
- Duarte Unified School District
- Glendale Unified School District
- La Cañada Unified
- Monrovia Unified School District
- Pasadena Unified School District
- San Gabriel Unified School District
- South Pasadena Unified School District
- Burbank Unified School District
Pasadena Unified School District, Burbank Unified School District, Glendale Unifies School District and La Cañada Unified School District are closed Friday.
(12:44 p.m. ET) California’s Most Devastating Wildfires
The Palisades Fire could prove to be among the most destructive in state history, based on data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CalFire. Here’s how the history ranks:
- Camp Fire – 18,804 structures burned in Butte County in 2018
- Tubbs Fire – 5,636 structures burned in Napa and Sonoma Counties, 2017
- Tunnel Fire – 2,900 structures burned in Alameda County, 1991
- Cedar Fire – 2,820 structures burned in San Diego County, 2003
- North Complex Fire – 2,352 structures burned in Butte, Plumas and Yuba counties, 2020
- Valley Fire – 1,995 structures burned in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties, 2015.
(12:19 p.m. ET) Wildfires Are Driving Unhealthy Air Quality
Levels of particulate pollution are in the red zone in the Los Angeles area, meaning people should avoid being outside, according to AirNow.gov. Those with lung or heart problems, children and the elderly are most at risk.
But even in healthy people, wildfire smoke can cause problems including coughing, shortness of breath and increased heart rate. That’s because it’s made up mainly of microscopic particulate matter 30 times smaller than the diameter of a strand of hair, and those tiny particles contain toxic materials.
“Even if you haven’t evacuated or been directly affected by the fire you’re probably dealing with the wildfire smoke,” weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman says.
(11:56 a.m. ET) Here’s Where Fires Are Burning In The Los Angeles Area, And How Big They Are
- Palisades Fire in the Los Angeles community of Pacific Palisades, more than 26 square miles burned.
- Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County around Altadena and Angeles National Forest, more than 16 square miles burned.
- Hurst Fire, north of San Fernando in Los Angeles County, ,more than 1.5 square miles burned.
- Lidia Fire, in the Angeles National Forest, more than .5 miles burned.
(11:08 a.m. ET) All Sunset Fire Evacuations Lifted
The last evacuation order due to the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills is now lifted as of 7:30 a.m. local time. The previously evacuated area North of Franklin is now safe for residents to return.
Los Angeles Fire Department is still working in the area. Residents are asked to take caution when returning to their homes.
(10:12 a.m. ET) Red Cross Opens Shelters For Evacuees
Those evacuating in the Los Angeles area are welcome to stay at a Red Cross shelter, several of which are now open:
Westwood Recreation Center (1350 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles, 90025).
El Camino Real Charter High School (5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367).
Residents impacted by the Hurst Fire can seek emergency shelter at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center (10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331).
Residents impacted by the Eaton Fire can seek shelter at a City of Pasadena emergency shelter located at Pasadena Convention Center (300 E. Green, Pasadena, CA 91101).
