Los Angeles is currently facing dangerous wildfires that have spread quickly, destroying homes, and displacing residents. The major blazes include the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire which have collectively burnt tens of thousands of acres. 10 people died.
Ten thousand of properties have been destroyed.
A wildfire started in Pacific Palisades, a coastal area with many expensive and mostly celebrity homes. The fire has burned over 20,000 acres. Hundreds of buildings, including luxury properties, have been destroyed. People in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Santa Monica have been told to leave their homes. High winds are making it harder for firefighters to control the flames.
Eaton Fire started near Altadena and Pasadena. This fire has burned over 13,690 acres.
Kenneth Fire broke out in the Calabasas and Hidden Hills areas on Thursday afternoon. Within three hours, it had spread to 960 acres. Authorities said someone has been arrested on suspicion of starting the fire.
Lidia Fire: Firefighters have managed to contain 75% of this fire, which started in Antelope Valley on Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday evening, it had burned 394 acres, according to Cal Fire’s latest update.
The Hurst Fire broke out in Sylmar, in the San Fernando Valley. This fire is spreading fast, and evacuation orders are in place. The fire had spread to 771 acres by Thursday night.
Firefighters are working around the clock to contain these fires. However, the strong winds and dry conditions are making the job very difficult.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced in a news conference that curfew orders for the Palisades and Eaton fire evacuation zones will start again at 6 p.m. on Friday. Only disaster workers and media with proper IDs are allowed in those areas. Anyone else who enters could be arrested for a misdemeanor, he said.
210 officers have been sent to areas in Los Angeles affected by the fires to keep things safe and under control.
The Los Angeles Fire Department kept working overnight to fight the Palisades Fire, Hurst Fire, and Kenneth Fire, Mayor Karen Bass said on Friday. They also used planes to drop water on the fires. Additionally, they put out fires in Pacoima, Hollywood, and Studio City.
On Wednesday, January 8, 98 flights departing from or arriving at Burbank Airport (BUR) were canceled or delayed. Travelers were advised to check with their airlines about their flight status before heading to the airport.
Several major airlines are offering flight waivers for affected passengers flying to or from Los Angeles airports. These waivers allow you to rebook your flights without extra charges or request refunds.
- Delta Air Lines
- American Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- JetBlue Airlines
- United Airlines
If you are in Los Angeles, do not travel to places under evacuation orders or near active fire zones. Keep your phone charged and have a backup power bank ready. Wear an N95 mask to reduce smoke inhalation.
