Hollywood Hills ABLAZE: Wildfires devastate Los Angeles, forcing mass evacuations and claiming lives

• Los Angeles is facing catastrophic wildfires, with over 100,000 residents evacuated and iconic areas like Hollywood Boulevard, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades severely impacted. Six separate blazes, fueled by extreme winds and dry conditions, have caused significant destruction, including celebrity homes and landmarks.
• The death toll has risen to five, with fears of more fatalities. Over 2,000 structures have been destroyed, including homes of celebrities like Mandy Moore and Billy Crystal. The Palisades Fire alone has burned 17,200 acres, while the Eaton Fire has consumed 10,600 acres and killed five people.
• Firefighters are overwhelmed, facing water shortages, dry hydrants, and stretched resources. The National Guard has been deployed, and military assistance may be needed. Fire officials describe the situation as unprecedented, with crews forced to prioritize which homes to save.
• The disaster has sparked political disputes, with President-elect Donald Trump blaming California Governor Gavin Newsom for mismanagement. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced criticism for being abroad during the crisis, while Newsom defended his administration’s response.
• Critical fire conditions persist, with red flag warnings in effect and winds expected to worsen. President Joe Biden declared the fires a major disaster, canceling a trip to Italy to oversee federal aid. Initial damage estimates exceed $50 billion, with the city’s future hanging in the balance.

Los Angeles is engulfed in chaos as wildfires tear through the city, forcing the evacuation of Hollywood Boulevard and surrounding neighborhoods. Over 100,000 residents have been ordered to flee, with iconic landmarks and celebrity homes reduced to ashes. The death toll has risen to five, and officials warn the number could climb as firefighters battle six separate blazes across the region.

The fires, fueled by hurricane-force winds and bone-dry conditions, have ravaged areas from Malibu to Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades to Runyon Canyon. Two new fires erupted overnight in the Hollywood Hills and Studio City, stretching already depleted firefighting resources to their limits. The National Guard has been deployed, and military personnel may soon join the effort to contain the unprecedented disaster.

The LA Fire Department issued mandatory evacuation orders for an area bounded by Hollywood Boulevard to the south, Mulholland Drive to the north, the 101 Freeway to the east, and Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the west. This iconic stretch of Los Angeles, home to the Dolby Theatre and the Walk of Fame, is now under threat. The Sunset Fire, which began Wednesday evening, scorched 50 acres in the Hollywood Hills, sending embers raining down on the city below.

Celebrities have not been spared. Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes, and Paris Hilton are among the stars who have lost homes. Billy Crystal and his wife Janice saw their home of 45 years in Pacific Palisades destroyed. Harrison Ford was visibly distressed as he evacuated, while Ben Affleck returned to find his $20 million mansion miraculously intact.

The Palisades Fire, the largest of the blazes, has consumed over 17,200 acres and hundreds of structures. Aerial footage shows block after block of smoldering homes in Pacific Palisades, with flames still licking at the ruins. To the east, the Eaton Fire has claimed 10,600 acres, destroyed 1,000 structures, and killed at least five people.

Firefighters are facing unprecedented challenges. Water shortages have left some hydrants dry, forcing crews to triage neighborhoods and prioritize which homes to save. “We pushed the system to the extreme. We’re fighting a wildfire with urban water systems,” said Janisse Quinones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Mismanagement of resources, lack of leadership only making things worse

The disaster has sparked political tensions. President-elect Donald Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of mismanaging water resources. Newsom, visibly emotional, dismissed the claims as “pure fiction” and vowed to focus on protecting residents.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced backlash for being in Ghana during the initial outbreak of the fires. Upon her return, she was confronted by journalists demanding answers. “Do you owe your citizens an apology for being absent while their homes were burning?” asked Sky News reporter David Blevins.

The scale of the devastation is staggering. Over 2,000 structures have been destroyed, and more than 130,000 people are under evacuation orders. Private forecaster AccuWeather estimates initial damage and economic losses at over $50 billion.

President Joe Biden declared the fires a major disaster and canceled a trip to Italy to oversee the federal response. “This firestorm is the big one,” Mayor Bass said during a press conference.

Forecasters warn that critical fire conditions will persist, with red flag warnings in effect until Friday evening. Winds are expected to strengthen, potentially reigniting contained areas and spreading the flames further.

As Los Angeles grapples with this historic disaster, the focus remains on saving lives and protecting what remains of the city. For now, the Hollywood Hills burn, and the future of one of the world’s most iconic cities hangs in the balance.

Sources include:

DailyMail.com

Newsweek.com

TheGuardian.com