Key developments as deadly LA wildfires reach Hollywood Hills
Five people have died in the extreme fires, with more than 100,000 told to flee their California homes.
Five people have been killed and over 100,000 ordered to evacuate as the deadly LA wildfires spread towards the Hollywood Hills.
A significant number of people have been injured as thousands of firefighters attempt to contain the original Palisades fire, which has burnt nearly 16,000 acres, and seven others across southern California that threaten to destroy more homes and lives as strong winds scattered embers.
The wildfires have seen the city declare a state of emergency, with A-list celebrities among the residents to have lost their homes in the fires.
California governor Gavin Newsom thanked president Joe Biden for his “swift response and aid to California as we work to battle these unprecedented wildfires”.
Forecasters from the National Weather Service for Los Angeles warned of “life-threatening, destructive” gusts that could last for days, bringing extreme fire risk to areas that have not seen substantial rain for many months.
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> Full report: Five killed as fires spread
> Los Angeles wildfires spread to Hollywood
> The LA wildfires mapped as fires cover 27,000 acres
> Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face evacuation
> Maps: See how large the California wildfires are
> The harrowing escapes from Los Angeles wildfires
Full report: Five killed as fires spread
The worst wildfires in the history of Los Angeles are burning through America’s second city.
Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate as the deadly flames tore into wealthy neighbourhoods and spread to the Hollywood Hills...
The flames have been fuelled by hurricane-strength winds of up to 100mph which have battered southern California.
Seasonal fires in this area are not uncommon, and strong, dry gusts – known as the Santa Ana winds – usually blow in at this time of year, reducing humidity.
Los Angeles wildfires spread to Hollywood
Raging wildfires surrounding Los Angeles spread to the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, after other fires in the area killed at least five people, destroyed hundreds of homes and stretched firefighting resources and water supplies to the limit.
More than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate as dry, hurricane-force winds hindered firefighting operations and spread the fires, which have burned thousands of acres since they began on Tuesday.
“This firestorm is the big one,” Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass told a press conference after rushing back to the city, cutting short an official trip to Ghana.
The LA wildfires mapped as fires cover 27,000 acres
The Los Angeles wildfires continued to grow rapidly Wednesday, engulfing homes in the Pacific Palisades and other neighbourhoods, including star-studded Calabasas and Altadena, north of Pasadena.
The fires have spread in just over than 24 hours and expanded to over 27,000 acres. They have been fuelled by a fierce windstorm known as the Santa Ana winds, and officials are warning the situation could get worse as none of the blazes have been contained.
Gusts up to 70 mph in some areas are essentially fanning the flames as well as grounding firefighting aircraft.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face evacuation
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be ordered to evacuate their home in Montecito, California amid the raging wildfires in Los Angeles.
The home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may be hit with a power outage as the family’s space is located in Santa Barbara County.
In its map of the state, the Southern California Edison (SCE) has indicated that Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are being considered in Santa Barbara.
Read the full story from The Independent
Maps: See how large the California wildfires are
Multiple major wildfires are leaving a trail of destruction and death in the Los Angeles area.
A handful of wildfires that kicked up Tuesday, powered by high winds and dry conditions, have exploded in size. Maps show the sizes and statuses of the fires.
The largest of the blazes, the Palisades Fire, is more than 24 square miles. That’s larger than land size of Providence, Rhode Island.
The harrowing escapes from Los Angeles wildfires
Flames and pillars of smoke rose from both sides of the road and a woman yelled in panic as firefighters ushered a crowd of fleeing residents along. Aaron Samson positioned his 83-year-old father-in-law behind his blue walker, and they began shuffling down the sidewalk.
“My father-in-law was saying, ‘Aaron, if we are ever in a position where the flames are right there, you just run and leave me here,’” Samson recounted Wednesday.
It didn’t get to that point. For the second time in a matter of hours, a good Samaritan picked them up, then drove them to safety in Santa Monica.
