- विज्ञापन -
California: On January 9, 2025, multiple significant wildfires in Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the U.S., have resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and the damage of over 1,100 buildings. The Palisades fire, a fierce wind-driven brush fire that ignited on Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, has consumed approximately 15,800 acres (63.9 square km) as of Wednesday afternoon, with zero containment, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
Cal Fire reported “extreme fire behavior,” posing challenges for firefighting efforts. The blaze has destroyed around 1,000 structures, including numerous upscale homes situated between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, prompting evacuation orders for Malibu and displacing thousands.
Notable landmarks, including the Getty Villa museum, which features Greek and Roman antiquities, and the iconic Eames House, are under threat due to the fire. Additionally, three schools in the Palisades area were reported to be significantly affected.
The Eaton fire, which began Tuesday evening, has burned more than 10,600 acres (42.9 square km) near Altadena and Pasadena, causing five fatalities and serious injuries among many others. Firefighters are actively working to contain the blazes and safeguard critical infrastructure amid extreme conditions.
A third fire, known as the Hurst fire, has rapidly spread through Sylmar, scorching over 700 acres (2.83 square km) as of Wednesday afternoon. Authorities attribute the perilous wildfire situation in Southern California to a combination of strong winds, very low humidity, and dry vegetation, with winds reaching gusts of up to 160 kph overnight.
A “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warning remains in effect across the region until Thursday afternoon, along with a high wind warning lasting through Wednesday evening. Local news reported that widespread power outages affecting over 4 million customers across Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego counties are linked to the wildfires. In response to the crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.
