Wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles County have claimed at least five lives, destroyed up to 1,500 buildings, and forced over 100,000 residents to evacuate as authorities warn the death toll is expected to rise.
Fueled by hurricane-force winds, the fires have engulfed entire neighborhoods, including Pacific Palisades, an upscale area home to Hollywood celebrities, where flames consumed 16,000 acres and destroyed 1,000 homes and businesses.
A separate blaze in Altadena, north of Los Angeles, has burned 10,600 acres, with suburban streets reduced to ash. Cars and homes were seen ablaze as firefighters battled the ferocious flames.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone admitted his teams were struggling to cope with the unprecedented scale and speed of the fires.
“We’re doing our best, but we simply don’t have enough personnel to handle this crisis,” Marrone said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed five fatalities, adding that the lack of containment likely means more casualties will be discovered.
“This is a very fluid and devastating situation. I’m praying we don’t find more victims, but the reality is grim,” Luna said.
The fires, driven by high winds and dry conditions, have created fireballs that leap from house to house, leaving devastation in their wake.
Authorities have evacuated over 100,000 residents, with emergency shelters set up to accommodate displaced families. Local officials are urging people to heed evacuation orders to avoid further loss of life.
Firefighters continue to battle the blazes, but with zero containment reported, Los Angeles remains in a state of emergency as residents brace for further destruction.
