Los Angeles Wildfires: Five Killed as Blaze Sweeps Through California

Firefighters in Los Angeles, U.S., are battling multiple blazes in the city’s suburbs, leading to the mandatory evacuation of over 80,000 residents.

The fires were ignited by a combination of dry conditions and strong winds. Authorities have stated that, at present, some of the fires are beyond control.

More than 2,000 structures have been destroyed, and 80,000 residents are under evacuation orders. At least five people have also lost their lives in the fire.

According to the BBC, seven fires are currently being fought.

The Palisades fire was first reported at 10:30 AM (18:30 GMT) on Tuesday and rapidly grew within just 20 minutes, expanding from 20 acres to more than 200 acres. By Wednesday night, the fire had reached nearly 16,000 acres. At least 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes so far.

The Eaton fire rapidly grew to cover 1,000 acres within the first six hours of breaking out. It started in Altadena, in the hills above Pasadena, around 6:30 PM local time on Tuesday. By Wednesday night, January 8, five fatalities had been reported, and the fire had spread to more than 10,000 acres.

The Hurst fire, located just north of San Fernando, began burning on Tuesday around 10:10 PM local time and quickly grew to 850 acres, according to local officials. The fire has led to evacuation orders in the neighboring Santa Clarita area.

The Woodley fire broke out in Woodley Park at approximately 6:15 AM local time on Wednesday. The LA Fire Department (LAFD) has since reported that it has been contained.

An Olivas fire erupted in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles, and burned across approximately 11 acres of land, although it has now been contained.

The Lidia fire broke out around 2:00 PM on Wednesday in the mountainous Acton area, north of Los Angeles, and quickly spread to cover nearly 350 acres. As of 9:00 PM, it had been 40% contained.

The Sunset fire broke out around 6:00 PM in the Hollywood Hills, a residential neighborhood overlooking the historic Hollywood area of the city. The fire currently covers approximately 50 acres and is 0% contained. A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for the area.

Many Hollywood stars, including Ben Affleck, Paris Hilton, Adam Brody, Eugene Levy, Miles Teller, Leighton Meester, Anna Faris, Billy Crystal, and others, have been forced to evacuate their mansions, which have been destroyed by the fire.