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Los Angeles Wildfires: Hurricane-strength winds complicated firefighting efforts, helping the flames spread since the fires ignited on Tuesday
Smoke and flames rise from a burning home, as powerful winds fueling devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area force people to evacuate. (Photo: Reuters)
Los Angeles Wildfires: Out-of-control wildfires encircled Los Angeles on Wednesday, claiming at least five lives, destroying hundreds of homes, and severely depleting firefighting resources and water supplies.
Over 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate. Hurricane-strength winds complicated firefighting efforts, helping the flames spread since the fires ignited on Tuesday.
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Rather than bringing moisture, the dry winds intensified the blaze, sweeping across drought-stricken land. As the sun set, the two most hazardous fires continued to expand, according to officials.
A new fire broke out in the Hollywood Hills section of Los Angeles on Wednesday evening, Fire Chief Kristin Crowley told a press conference, forcing more evacuations and raising to six the number of wildfires burning in Los Angeles County. All of them were 0% contained according to state officials, including a pair of conflagrations that held the city in a pincer move.
On the west side, the Palisades Fire consumed 15,832 acres (6,406 hectares) and 1,000 structures in the hills between Santa Monica and Malibu, racing down Topanga Canyon until reaching the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday. It was already one of the most destructive fires in Los Angeles history.
Aerial video by KTLA television showed block after block of smoldering homes in Pacific Palisades, the smoky grid occasionally punctuated by the orange blaze of another home still on fire.
- Location :
Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)