Massive wildfires fueled by extreme winds and dry conditions have ravaged Los Angeles, forcing widespread evacuations and leaving a trail of destruction. The fires, ignited by a rare 'mountain wave' phenomenon, have spread rapidly, destroying thousands of structures and threatening thousands of residents. Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating fire seasons, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic blazes.
Days before one of the largest wildfires the area has ever seen broke out in southern California, forecasters had been warning of extreme wind.Rain in the winter, followed by an extended period of dry air and drought, had left the hills around Los Angeles covered in an excess of parched vegetation.The first of multiple fires was first reported around 10am Tuesday local time.In the 24 hours that followed, it would burn through almost 7,000 hectares in the hills.
A strangely shaped storm system over the lower Colorado River Valley has brought with it unusually strong winds, amplified by what experts call a "mountain wave" event. "Eventually you have a compounding effect where you see much more extreme fire behaviour at different times of the year … whether it's in December or January," he said.
With more than 18 million people living in Greater Los Angeles, these maps show how quickly wildfires have encircled some of the city's most densely-packed neighbourhoods.When gas canisters at neighbouring homes began exploding under the heat of the flames, Altadena resident Kevin Williams knew it was time to run."It sounded like a war zone.
The Sunset fire followed shortly after, breaking out near the Hollywood Hills just before 6pm on Wednesday night.The Kenneth fire sprang up on Thursday afternoon local time, spreading to more than 360 hectares in just a few hours, followed by the Archer fire a day later. "I think the thing to keep in mind is, these are beautiful homes, I think the median value of a home in Palisades is four and a half million dollars.Photo shows James Woods rests his head in his hand as he sheds a tear
According to Cal Fire, the Palisades fire has hit more than 17,000 households and put a population of more than 42,000 people at risk. "Like every place in the world, there are people with ways and means, and people without them," he said."Everybody needs support and love in these moments. Wealth or not, poor or not. It is the right thing to do. So you try to make sure nobody is left behind or forgotten."So far at least 11 people have been killed – with five linked to the Eaton fire and two linked to the Palisades fire.
WILDFIRES CLIMATE CHANGE CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES EVACUATIONS MOUNTAIN WAVE
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