Thousands of people fled as wind caused wildfire in Los Angeles. climate crisis news
Some frightened residents were forced to abandon their cars and flee on foot from the rapidly growing fire.
Thousands of people have been forced to flee parts of Los Angeles as strong winds fueled wildfires growing rapidly around the city in the western United States.
More than 30,000 people were evacuated Tuesday as strong winds helped fan the flames in the coastal Pacific Palisades area. More fires later threatened other areas around Southern California.
Terrified residents abandoned their cars on one of the only roads in and out of the upscale Pacific Palisades area, and fled on foot from the nearly 3,000-acre (1,200 ha) fire that burned through an area filled with multimillion-dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains. Just ran away. ,
Firefighters used bulldozers to push aside dozens of vehicles to make way for emergency vehicles, causing many vehicles to collapse due to alarm.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said that despite the chaotic evacuation, there were no immediate reports of deaths.
A fire official told television station KTLA that several people were injured, some with burns on their faces and hands. A female firefighter reportedly suffered head injuries.
Hundreds of firefighters swarmed the area, attacking the blaze from the ground and air, while crews worked across steep terrain to cut vegetation and extinguish the blaze.
“We are not out of danger,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said, speaking at an afternoon media conference.
The second fire broke out about 30 miles (50 km) inland from Pasadena and doubled in size within hours to 400 acres (162 hectares), according to Cal Fire.
According to CBS News, about 100 elderly residents were evacuated from a nursing home in the city.
Videos and photos showed elderly residents, many of them in wheelchairs and gurneys, crowded into a smoke- and wind-filled parking lot as firetrucks and ambulances lined up.
A third fire has prompted evacuation orders in the San Fernando Valley, northwest of LA, fire officials said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said President Joe Biden has approved federal aid to help firefighters.
