LOS ANGELES (AP) — Firefighters scrambled to corral a fast-moving wildfire in the Los Angeles hillsides dotted with celebrity homes as a fierce windstorm hit Southern California on Tuesday, fanning the blaze seen for miles as scores of residents abandoned their cars and fled on foot to safety with roads blocked.
Evacuation Orders and Threatened Structures
About 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures are under threat, said Kristin Crowley, fire chief of the LA Fire Department. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he saw “many structures already destroyed.”
Fire Cause and Weather Conditions
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, and no injuries had been reported. Newsom warned residents across Southern California not to assume they are out of danger, saying the worst of the winds are expected between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday. Forecasters predicted the windstorm would last for days, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 mph in mountains and foothills.
Roughly half a million utility customers were at risk of having their power shut off to reduce the risk of equipment sparking blazes.
Impact on Residents and Community
In the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in western Los Angeles, a fire swiftly consumed nearly 2 square miles of land, sending up a dramatic plume of smoke visible across the city. Roads were blocked, and residents were seen abandoning their vehicles to escape the flames.
Actor James Woods posted footage of flames burning through bushes and past palm trees on a hill near his home. The towering orange flames billowed among the landscaped yards between the homes.
Response and Evacuation Efforts
Sections of Interstate 10 and the scenic Pacific Coast Highway were closed to all non-essential traffic to aid in evacuation efforts. The Los Angeles Unified School District said it was temporarily relocating students from three campuses in the Pacific Palisades area due to the fire.
Weather Conditions and Fire Risk
The winds will act as an “atmospheric blow-dryer” for vegetation, bringing a long period of fire risk, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist. Recent dry winds and lack of rain have contributed to extreme fire conditions in Southern California.
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