LA Wildfires Spread Rapidly: Over 30,000 Acres Burned, Six Dead, Thousands Under Evacuation Orders

Key Highlights:

• Death toll rises to six as wildfires continue to rage across Los Angeles.

• More than 30,000 acres scorched, with over 4,000 structures destroyed.

• 180,000 residents evacuated, and 400,000 without power amid severe conditions.

• Santa Ana winds fuel fast-moving flames, with gusts reaching up to 100 mph.

• Federal aid pledged, as 7,500 firefighters battle blazes with zero percent containment.

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Satellite image taken Wednesday at East Altadena Drive during the Eaton Fire in Altadena

Escalating Crisis in Southern California

Los Angeles County is reeling from a series of wildfires that erupted earlier this week, driven by fierce Santa Ana winds. The blazes, which began on Tuesday morning, have grown to consume over 30,000 acres, including residential neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades, Studio City, Calabasas, and Altadena. The largest fires—Palisades and Eaton—continue to spread unchecked, leaving communities in crisis and prompting widespread evacuations.

California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that six people have died due to the fires, with dozens more injured, including several burn victims. “This is a rapidly evolving situation,” Newsom said in a press briefing. “Our priority remains saving lives and protecting property.”

Multiple Blazes Engulfing Communities

The Palisades fire, which started early Tuesday, has burned over 17,200 acres and forced 30,000 people to flee their homes. Meanwhile, the Eaton fire in Altadena has grown to 10,600 acres, with 50,000 residents under evacuation orders. Both fires are currently at zero percent containment, according to Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) officials.

Another fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, dubbed the Sunset fire, but was fully contained by Thursday afternoon. The newly ignited Kenneth Fire, which began Thursday near the Los Angeles-Ventura County line, has already scorched 960 acres, threatening nearby communities in Hidden Hills and Woodland Hills.

“We urge residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately and follow safety protocols,” said Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. “Firefighters are working tirelessly, but conditions remain extremely dangerous.”

A firefighter takes on a blaze in Southern California. Officials are warning residents to be ready to evacuate as the fires continue to grow.

Thousands Evacuated, Power Outages Reported

In total, 180,000 residents across Southern California have been evacuated. Emergency shelters have been set up at the Westwood Recreation Center and Ritchie Valens Recreation Center to accommodate displaced families. However, the scale of the disaster continues to grow, with 400,000 customers losing power, primarily in Los Angeles County.

Local residents, including celebrities, have been among those forced to flee. Notable names like Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, and Mark Hamill were evacuated from their homes in affected areas.

Darinka Whitmore, an Altadena resident, shared her experience: “We were having dinner when we saw the fire coming fast. We had no time to pack—just grabbed our kids and pets and ran.”

Federal and State Response Intensifies

President Joe Biden has assured Governor Newsom that the federal government will cover 100% of firefighting costs for the next six months. "Spare no expense," Biden said, emphasizing the urgency of controlling the fires. Meanwhile, 7,500 firefighters and 1,200 fire trucks have been deployed across the region to combat the flames.

Governor Newsom also announced the deployment of 900 additional firefighters to contain the Kenneth Fire. “We are far from out of danger,” he warned, urging residents to remain vigilant as strong winds persist.

Santa Ana Winds: The Key Culprit

Meteorologists attribute the rapid spread of these wildfires to the notorious Santa Ana winds, which are blowing at speeds of up to 60 mph, with some mountain regions experiencing gusts as high as 100 mph. Known locally as “devil winds,” these dry, warm gusts create perfect conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly.

The National Weather Service has issued extreme weather warnings for parts of Southern California, warning of life-threatening fire conditions due to low humidity and high winds.

What’s Next for Los Angeles?

As the fires rage on, Mayor Karen Bass has declared a state of emergency, calling on residents to conserve water and follow evacuation orders closely. “Los Angeles will rebuild stronger than ever,” she said. “But right now, our focus is on saving lives.”

Experts believe the situation could worsen before it improves, with firefighters facing another challenging day of battling the flames amid worsening weather conditions.

Residents are urged to stay informed through official channels and heed all evacuation directives for their safety.