A massive wildfire has been rapidly spreading across southern California, particularly affecting the Pacific Palisades area, as it continues to grow in size and intensity.
The fire, which started early this morning, is devastating the region, and authorities are scrambling to contain it.
Rapid Expansion of the Blaze
The fire initially erupted around 10:30 AM yesterday, with early reports estimating it had burned about 200 acres.
However, the situation worsened quickly, and within just 30 minutes, the fire had expanded to 770 acres.
As of this morning, the flames have spread over 3,000 acres and are advancing at an alarming rate, destroying about three football fields of land every minute.
This rapid growth has led to mass evacuations from the area, as residents scramble to escape the fire.
Many have left their cars behind on one of the few evacuation routes, choosing to flee on foot as the inferno rapidly spreads through the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which is home to multimillion-dollar properties nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Evacuation Orders and Growing Destruction
By Wednesday morning, the fire had reached as far west as Malibu and stretched as far east as Topanga State Park, according to the fire map released by the Los Angeles County Bureau of Land Management.
The entire affected area remains under evacuation orders, and California’s Department of Forest and Fire Protection has issued urgent warnings.
Authorities have advised residents that there is an immediate threat to their lives and have declared, “Leave now” as part of an official evacuation order.
More than 30,000 people have already fled, as California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that many structures had already been destroyed.
The situation is expected to worsen as destructive winds continue to fuel the blaze.
Officials have warned of life-threatening conditions as high winds up to 50 miles per hour intensify the fire’s spread.
Firefighting Efforts and Power Outages
In response to the growing crisis, over 100 firefighters and specialized strike teams have been dispatched to the area to contain the flames.
Firefighters are working tirelessly on the ground and in the air, battling the fire through challenging terrain while creating firebreaks to prevent further spread.
Despite their efforts, the strong winds continue to push the fire westward.
To help manage the situation, Southern California Edison (SCE) shut off power in several areas, including Cuthbert, Galahad, and parts of Malibu, in an attempt to limit fire risks.
As of Tuesday evening, more than 33,000 residents in Los Angeles were without power.
SCE has warned that power could be out for at least eight hours, with restoration delayed further if crews need daylight to safely inspect power lines and equipment.
As the fire continues to ravage Southern California, the efforts to contain it remain critical, with both residents and emergency teams working to stay safe amid the chaos.
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