The California wildfires show no mercy. Hundreds of firefighters were trying in the last few hours to contain the enormous walls of fire advancing uncontrollably in different areas.
It has been reported that the flames have reached Hollywood Hills. This happened after they invaded Los Angeles County and the neighboring Ventura in less than 24 hours. So far, it has been reported that at least five people have died.
California wildfires spreading
The year started with desperation for the State. The residential area of Pacific Palisades was devastated, as reported by authorities, and still the flames are not under control.
The severity of the wildfires. (Photo: EFE).
The Santa Ana winds, blowing strongly since early Tuesday, and the extreme dryness of the environment, hindered the firefighters’ tasks.
The ever-changing emergency has already left at least five dead, numerous injured, and hundreds of destroyed buildings.
On Wednesday night, concern grew as a new fire had started in the Hollywood Hills, near the iconic sign, leading to new evacuation orders.
The Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars ceremony takes place every year, is one of the buildings located in the evacuation zone. As well as the Hollywood Bowl outdoor amphitheater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
This fire was also affecting Runyon Canyon, a popular area for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
“Prioritize your safety”
“Please prioritize your safety and the well-being of those around you,” asked Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone at a press conference on Wednesday.
“The strong winds and low humidity put all county residents in danger,” he explained.
More than 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate throughout Los Angeles County in the last few hours, and over 1,000 structures, including homes and other buildings, have been consumed by the flames.
“The origin of the fires is unknown and under investigation,” Marrone added.
On Wednesday night, there were around 300,000 homes without power in Southern California due to the damage caused by the fire and winds, which had decreased in intensity compared to Tuesday. In the afternoon of Wednesday, evacuation orders were also issued for some areas of Santa Monica, south of Pacific Palisades, one of the most popular sites for locals and tourists.
What are the Santa Ana winds?
The Santa Ana winds, crucial in this case for the fire spread, are a meteorological phenomenon characteristic of Southern California.
They are warm and dry winds that originate in the interior southwest of the United States, mainly in high-pressure areas in Nevada and Utah.
Emergency services pushed to the limit
Wildfires in California.
The ongoing fires are stretching the emergency services’ capacity to the limit.
Although the fire season in the region used to start in May and end in October, today it is already “a perennial problem,” as emphasized by Governor Gavin Newsom. “There is no fire season. It’s all year round.”
City firefighters have been joined by those from neighboring counties, and California authorities have requested help beyond the state. Nevada, Oregon, and Washington have already responded to the call.
In some places, firefighters have run out of water due to the high demand to extinguish the fires.
