FOUR FIRES CAUSING HAVOC IN LOS ANGELES
LA Fire was prepared for two massive fires, but four at once are creating havoc among emergency services in California.
Two people have been killed and many have suffered significant injuries in one of four life-threatening fires.
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in Los Angeles as firefighters are battling major blazes. Local police are urging residents to evacuate immediately and not underestimate the speed at which the fires are spreading.
So far, the largest of the four fires is in Pacific Palisades. It has destroyed 1,000 structures and burned over 5,000 acres.
Intense winds have been fueling the spreading of the fires which has hampered the firefighting efforts immensely. The winds have meant that aircraft are unable to drop flame retardant or map the blaze.
LA County’s fire chief has warned that fire conditions and strong winds are expected to worsen. This could leave all residents of Los Angeles County in danger.
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles told CNN that “it is plausible that the Palisades Fire, in particular, will become the costliest on record period, not just in California, but in general”.
Image credit: The Hollywood Reporter