LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – The worst-case scenario has been realized in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, where an estimated 1,000 structures, many of them homes, have been destroyed by a Santa Ana-wind-fueled wildfire, authorities confirmed on Wednesday morning.
The Palisades Fire was first reported around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive. By Wednesday afternoon, the fire had exploded to 15,832 acres with no containment.
At a news conference Wednesday morning, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone revealed an estimated 1,000 structures had been lost. There was also a “high number of people who didn’t evacuate” who suffered serious injuries, he said.
Daylight brought the extent of the devastation into clear focus as entire neighborhoods and commercial centers were leveled in this affluent coastal community.
With 1,000 structures destroyed, the Palisades Fire is already far more destructive than the second-most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance, the Associated Press reported. The last most destructive fire was the Sayre Fire in November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar.
Evacuations were ordered for the entire Pacific Palisades area down to the Pacific Ocean. The evacuations, which also included warnings for Santa Monica and Calabasas areas, impacted tens of thousands of homes and businesses.
An evacuation shelter for people and pets was established at the Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Santa Monica and Las Virgenes unified school districts canceled classes Wednesday.
Dozens of Los Angeles County schools were closed Wednesday due to the fire. A number of schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District were also closed.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Pacific Palisades is located about 10 miles from Malibu, where the Franklin Fire burned more than 4,000 acres and burned several homes after erupting during similar windy conditions in December.
An evacuation shelter for people and pets was established at the Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Santa Monica and Las Virgenes unified school districts canceled classes Wednesday.
Dozens of Los Angeles County schools were closed Wednesday due to the fire. A number of schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District were also closed.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Pacific Palisades is located about 10 miles from Malibu, where the Franklin Fire burned more than 4,000 acres and burned several homes after erupting during similar windy conditions in December.
Terri and I have been furiously watching the reports on the fires in Los Angeles tonight. We are both just sick. Areas that we both treasure are gone. The beloved Hollywood sign is in danger. I assume the Griffth Park Observatory will be next. My home, Los Angeles, is burning down. This is a nightmare. I'm starting to lose it. I'm hurt, I'm angry, and I expect to be a wreck for a long time. OMG, now Pasadena is being evacuated! Please, please, I beg you to pray for Los Angles!
ReplyDelete