Wildfires in California have led to evacuations and tragic loss of life as residents flee the flames threatening their homes
Los Angeles: The wildfires have really taken a toll on Hollywood Boulevard. It’s been a chaotic scene as officials warned that around 100,000 people might need to evacuate their homes.
The fires kicked off in the Hollywood Hills and got alarmingly close to famous spots like the Hollywood Bowl and the Walk of Fame.
Helicopters were buzzing overhead, dropping water on the flames. Tourists and locals were seen leaving hotels on foot, some even stopping to film the fire with their phones. Sadly, at least five people have lost their lives as these wildfires rage through Southern California, with some well-known figures like Diane Warren watching their homes go up in smoke.
In the Hollywood Hills alone, over 1,000 buildings, mostly homes, have been destroyed. Evacuation orders are in place for more than 130,000 people. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass mentioned that aerial firefighting is in full swing but warned about unpredictable winds, which were not as fierce as those that caused major damage earlier this week.
More than six local schools have been damaged or destroyed, including Palisades Charter High School, which has appeared in many Hollywood productions like “Carrie” and “Teen Wolf.”
One resident, Jose Velasquez, took quick action to protect his home in Altadena by soaking it with water as embers rained down. Thankfully, his house was spared, but many others in the Verdugo Mountains area weren’t so lucky, with homes and businesses lost. The aftermath has left pools filled with ash and luxury cars ruined.
In Pacific Palisades, over a thousand structures have been impacted, marking one of the worst fires in Los Angeles history, injuring both residents and first responders. President Joe Biden declared a federal emergency after meeting with Governor Gavin Newsom at a fire station in Santa Monica, where they got updates on the situation. Newsom has also called in National Guard troops for help.
With all this going on, several Hollywood studios have paused filming, and Universal Studios has temporarily closed its theme park located between Pasadena and Pacific Palisades.
