Wildfires Raging in Los Angeles for the Third Day, Five Dead, 130,000 People Safely Evacuated
Los Angeles, January 9: Devastating wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area have claimed the lives of at least five people and forced the evacuation of 130,000 people. As the fires enter their third day, they continue to wreak havoc across multiple areas. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has described the situation as a "major disaster." According to Cal Fire, there are currently five major fires burning in Los Angeles County. The Palisades Fire has burned 17,234 acres, and the Eaton Fire has consumed 10,600 acres of land.
The Sunset Fire, which started on Wednesday in the Hollywood Hills, has already engulfed 60 acres. Residents of the blocks north of Hollywood Boulevard have been ordered to evacuate, while those in West Hollywood have been advised to flee immediately. Although the strong winds that fueled the flames have decreased, forecasts predict another surge of winds up to 60 miles per hour from Thursday to Friday.
Celebrities Urged to Evacuate Their Homes
The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have affected thousands of people, including A-list actors, musicians, and other celebrities.
Among those who have either lost their homes or evacuated are:
- Actress Mandy Moore shared on Instagram that she fled her Altadena home with her children and pets, which has now been "reduced to rubble" by the fire.
- Media personality Paris Hilton's beachfront mansion in Malibu, valued at $8.4 million, has burned down.
- "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill escaped his Malibu home with his wife and pet dog as fires flanked the road.
- Actor Billy Crystal revealed that his Pacific Palisades home, where he and his wife lived for 46 years, burned down on Wednesday.
Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin stated that "erratic wind gusts" are spreading embers several kilometers ahead of the wildfires, making fire control efforts more challenging.
