National Weather Service United States reported that they are prevalent in Southern California “the worst weather conditions that may favor fires” – air humidity is low, due to the long-term lack of rainfall, the vegetation is dry and the winds are extremely strong.
The largest fire is taking place near a luxury district Pacific Palisadeslocated west of downtown Los Angeles. There the fire has already burned over 5,000 acres – that is, over 20 square kilometers. In the part of the city I live in many stars of cinema, television and musicover a thousand buildings were destroyed, local fire brigade chief Anthony Marrone said on Wednesday.
Reuters emphasizes that the average amount that had to be paid for a house in Pacific Palisades at the end of 2023 was $3.7 million (over PLN 15 million – ed.).
Los Angeles. Huge fires spread to the suburbs. “Historical catastrophe”
The next seeding takes place in Eaton north of the metropolis center. The fire has already taken hold over 2000 acres, so just over eight square kilometers. This is where the tragedy occurred and death of two people. However, officials did not provide details and it is not known who the victims are.
Another bonfire broke out near the town Sylmar northwest of Los Angeles. There was a fire in this place over 500 acres (about two square kilometers – ed.). Firefighting planes they draw water from the oceanto fight the flames in all places.
– We are dealing with a historic natural disaster Kevin McGowan, Los Angeles County emergency management director, said Wednesday.
Fires in Los Angeles. Nearly 70,000 people were evacuated
Mass evacuation operations have been carried out since Tuesday. In addition to public announcements, rescuers went door to door to issue orders to vacate their homes – by Wednesday evening Polish time, the orders included nearly 70 thousand people.
Many people have decided to escape on footwhile some got into cars and got stuck giant traffic jams. Some of these people abandoned their vehicles, and the services used heavy equipment to push the cars to the side of the road.
CBS News showed footage of the evacuation nursing home in Pasadena (near the fire in Eaton – ed.). About 100 residents left the asylum – with older people leaving the building in wheelchairs and stretchers firefighters and paramedics helped.
California declares a state of emergency. Joe Biden offers federal aid
Due to the extreme threat, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday state of emergency. At least 100 of the 1,000 public schools across Los Angeles were closed.
The fire also spread to the area Getty Villa – a museum of works of art, which houses many priceless harvests. The facility's management said that the harvest was saved thanks to preventive pruning of the bushes.
– We cannot say that we are completely safe yetgiven the strong winds that continue to blow through the city and county, said Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley. According to forecasts, gusty gusts may persist until Thursday.
Data from the poweroutage.us website as of 10 a.m. local time (7 p.m. Polish time – ed.) in areas at risk of fires there is no electricity at least 400 thousand recipients.
Resigning from office on January 20 president Joe Biden said in a statement that it had been informed about the forest fires and offered federal assistance.
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