California Wildfires Claim Lives, Trigger State of Emergency as Powerful Winds Fuel Devastation

A series of devastating wildfires tearing across metropolitan Los Angeles have prompted a state of emergency in California, with the death toll rising to five and tens of thousands forced to evacuate their homes, Al Jazeera reports.

Fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, the blazes have spread rapidly since igniting on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction, power outages, and widespread disruption in their wake.

The fires, described by some as among the worst to hit the Los Angeles region, began on Tuesday morning in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Dubbed the Pacific Palisades Fire, it has already consumed approximately 15,832 acres by Wednesday afternoon. A second significant blaze, the Eaton Fire, broke out near Pasadena later on Tuesday, growing to 10,600 acres. These were quickly followed by the Hurst Fire in Sylmar, and then three more on Wednesday – the Lidia Fire, the Woodley Fire, and the Olivas Fire – all adding to the region’s rapidly escalating fire crisis. Combined, the six wildfires have scorched more than 27,000 acres.

Fatalities, Widespread Damage

The human cost of the wildfires is mounting. On Wednesday, officials initially reported two deaths from the Eaton Fire, with the Pacific Palisades Fire also causing numerous serious injuries. By late Wednesday night, the death toll had risen to five. A female firefighter was among those injured, suffering a head injury while battling the Palisades blaze.

The flames have caused significant property damage, with approximately 1,000 structures destroyed in the Pacific Palisades area alone. The Getty Villa Museum reported some damage to vegetation on its grounds, but confirmed that structures and its art collection remained safe. The Eaton Fire engulfed a McDonald’s restaurant and the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Centre, though the temple’s staff were able to evacuate with their religious texts. Celebrities, like actor James Woods, have also reported damage to their homes in the area.

Santa Ana Winds Fueling the Flames

While the specific causes of the fires remain under investigation, the powerful Santa Ana winds are largely responsible for their rapid spread and intensity. These dry, warm, and strong winds, characteristic of Southern California winters, have dried out vegetation, making it incredibly susceptible to fire. Climate scientists are particularly concerned about this year’s conditions, citing unusually dry conditions following a wet season, creating a tinderbox environment for the fires. Experts are now warning of potentially the worst windstorm in a decade.

Evacuations, Power Outages

The blazes have triggered widespread evacuations, with more than 70,000 people fleeing their homes, often on foot due to gridlocked roads. Evacuation orders have been issued for areas including Malibu and Santa Monica. Emergency shelters have been established for displaced residents, as well as animal shelters for their pets. Hospitals are reporting a surge in patients seeking treatment for smoke inhalation.

Power outages have compounded the crisis, with almost 1.5 million people experiencing blackouts across the state as of Wednesday afternoon. Los Angeles County, Ventura County and San Bernardino County have been particularly affected.

City on Alert, Emergency Response

A “red flag warning,” the highest alert level indicating an exceptionally dangerous situation, has been issued for 19 million people in Southern California, signaling that the area is in a “particularly dangerous situation.” The National Weather Service is urging residents to remain indoors, away from windows.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned residents that the windstorm is expected to worsen, while California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared “all hands on deck,” deploying more than 1,400 firefighters to combat the blazes. President Joe Biden has also approved feder al assistance, including resources from the U.S. military.

School districts across the region have closed, and numerous events, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations event, have been cancelled.