Barran Press
CALIFORNIA, USA — Firefighters in California are battling to contain wildfires that have been raging for several days, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and reducing entire neighborhoods to ash.
According to reports from Al-Hurra TV, the fires continue to spread across Los Angeles, where thick smoke has completely blanketed the sky. Over 34,000 acres have been scorched, and nearly 10,000 homes and buildings have been destroyed.
Firefighting crews have yet to gain control over the blaze consuming the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood located between Malibu and Santa Monica, despite deploying helicopters to drop water and a temporary lull in the winds that have been fueling the flames.
However, after a brief period of calm, winds have picked up again, igniting new fires. Drone footage captured the extensive damage caused by the Palisades fire, revealing hundreds of homes and yards reduced to cinders.
The California Fire Department reported that more than 14,160 hectares have burned in Los Angeles, prompting the evacuation of over 180,000 residents. Local officials confirmed that these wildfires are among the most destructive in Los Angeles history.
Christine Crowley, head of fire operations in Los Angeles, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating it is one of the most devastating fires the city has ever faced.
While the winds, which have reached speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour, have temporarily subsided, conditions remain extremely dry and hazardous. Authorities warn that the situation continues to be perilous.
On Thursday afternoon, new fire hotspots were reported near Calabasas and the exclusive Hidden Hills neighborhood, home to reality TV star Kim Kardashian. In Hollywood, the iconic film industry area that was previously threatened, the fire in the hills has been brought under control, and evacuation orders were lifted.
The wildfires have struck at a particularly challenging time for Los Angeles, coinciding with hot winds, a phenomenon common during California's winter months, with gusts reaching up to 160 kilometers per hour.