A series of wildfires have been raging across Los Angeles, Calif., and despite firefighters best efforts, strong winds and low humidity have only worsened the conditions, killing at least five people and destroying hundreds of buildings throughout the county.
The blazes began on Tuesday, Jan. 7 and have continued to rip through Los Angeles all week as they unfortunately remain completely uncontrollable. More than 137,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes, leaving behind their belongings and communities to avoid the flames, according to BBC News.
The Palisades Fire sparked a line of fires that followed it, starting out of an explosive bush early Tuesday and eventually eating up the region. By Wednesday, it grew to more than 15,000 acres. The Los Angeles Fire Department estimated that the Palisades Fire threatened more than 10,300 homes, with at least 1,000 structures damaged or destroyed, according to CBS News. As of Thursday morning, the fire has consumed at least 17,234 acres and is still not contained.
Slightly smaller, the Eaton Fire broke out later Tuesday night, located more inland. This fire spread over at least 1,000 acres overnight and had ravaged up to 10,000 acres by Wednesday afternoon, calling for additional evacuations. As of Thursday morning, it has burned 10,600 acres and is also not contained.
As if these massive wildfires were not enough for the LAFD, on Tuesday in the Sylmar neighborhood of L.A., the Hurst Fire broke out and the flames burned 850 acres. Only 10 percent of the fire was contained by Thursday morning.
Additionally, the Sunset Fire, a fourth fire in Hollywood Hills, broke out Wednesday night. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the majority of the Evacuation Zone for Sunset Fires is lifted and residents can return to their homes but should proceed with caution. Just as this area got under control, the Lidia Fire began to burn in a rural part of Los Angeles. Updated as of Thursday morning, it grew to about 350 acres and is 40 percent contained.
A lack of water availability has hindered crews’ efforts to contain major fires and even several smaller ones, according to the New York Times. In addition, Southern California has been extremely dry due to lack of rains all winter, exacerbating the impacts of the wildfires.
Although it is a well-known fact that Southern California is prone to wildfires, to watch such devastating flames engulf the county has left residents extremely afraid. To donate and help those affected by the fires, the LAFD Foundation, the California Community Foundation and the Mutual Aid La Network all support those who are being affected in real time.
Photo Credits: “Forest Wildfire” by Project LM is licensed under (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
