Delete
A street in Pacific Palisades burns during the fierce wildfire. Reuters
Santa Ana Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles

Santa Ana Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles

At least 30,000 people evacuated as a terrifying wave of fires devastates Pacific Palisades while the Governor of California declares a state of emergency

M. Pérez

Miércoles, 8 de enero 2025, 07:05

The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has declared a state of emergency due to the wave of wildfires ravaging Los Angeles. At least 30,000 people have been evacuated as the flames consume homes in their path and devastate the district of Pacific Palisades, a prosperous southern community home to numerous celebrities. In this area alone, 23,000 homes and buildings are at risk of being engulfed by the fire, according to firefighters who are currently working tirelessly in a desperate attempt to control the catastrophe.

The Mayor of Los Angeles has also declared a state of emergency for the city in response to other outbreaks, such as a new wildfire in Eaton Canyon, in the San Gabriel Mountains, threatening the Altadena area. As an example of the fire's ferocity, around 200 hectares of forest land have been scorched in less than two hours. The fires are attributed to brutal wind gusts of up to 160 kilometres per hour and the dryness of the vegetation.

The fires began around eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning, approximately 10:00 PM in Spain, and spread rapidly despite authorities deploying thousands of firefighters, police, and other emergency services with the aid of helicopters and firefighting planes. The Santa Ana winds are a yearly threat that puts Southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico, on high alert for wildfires. However, this time they are proving particularly devastating, with gusts of unprecedented intensity in the last decade.

Governor Newsom has urged the public to heed the instructions of emergency services and not delay evacuations. He added that the worst is likely yet to come during the early hours of Wednesday, coinciding with firefighters' forecasts, who see the fire fronts spreading in multiple directions. The intensity of the fire is such that smoke and ash clouds have already reached the Pacific Ocean.

Pacific Palisades, home to 24,000 residents, has been evacuated. Mandatory evacuations have extended to the community of Santa Monica, which houses about 90,000 residents and has been closed to the public, and to several areas of Calabasas due to the risk of the fires spreading westward. Firefighters have not reported any fatalities or injuries, although scenes of genuine panic have occurred. Many citizens are fleeing in the dark, as large areas have lost electricity supply.

Publicidad

Publicidad

Publicidad

Publicidad

Esta funcionalidad es exclusiva para registrados.

Reporta un error en esta noticia

* Campos obligatorios

todoalicante Santa Ana Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles