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Firefighters Fight Wildfires in Los Angeles as Winds Slow Down

Los Angeles firefighters put in endless effort Thursday morning to contain a string of destructive wildfires that have burned cities from Pasadena to the Pacific Coast, killed five people, and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes.

The weather improved somewhat after days of fierce winds that fueled the fire and led to a chaotic evacuation. Firefighters had a crucial opening to advance on the fires as the winds, which had previously reached hurricane strength, somewhat decreased.

The Hollywood Hills, which are closer to the center of Los Angeles, have most recently been affected by the fires, which have devastated large regions, including Altadena and Pacific Palisades.

A Fresh Danger amid the Hills of Hollywood

A fresh fire broke out in the Hollywood Hills late on Wednesday, threatening to spread near some of the city’s most recognizable entertainment icons. During unusually dry circumstances, residents in crowded areas prepared for the worst as fires spread.

On the other hand, firefighters made great strides against the Sunset Fire in a matter of hours.

Capt. Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department stated, “We hit it hard and fast, and Mother Nature was a little nicer to us today than she was yesterday.”

The streets around Madame Tussauds, the TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame were still crowded with people, some of whom were using their phones to shoot videos of the burning hills, just a mile or two from the flames.

Devastation in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades

A day before, areas in Altadena and Pacific Palisades had become infernos due to major flames fueled by strong winds.

Thousands of houses and businesses along the coast have been destroyed by the Palisades Fire, the biggest and most catastrophic wildfire in Los Angeles history.

• Eaton Fire: This fire in Pasadena damaged hundreds of buildings, devastated the Altadena town, and claimed all five lives to date.

Between the two fires, around 2,000 residences, businesses, and other buildings have been completely destroyed. About 42 square miles (108 square kilometers), or an area almost the size of San Francisco, had been burned.

Residents’ Tense Moments

As they attempted to preserve their homes, residents in the impacted areas faced terrifying obstacles.

Jose Velasquez battled to defend his family’s house and company in Altadena. Velasquez splashed water to quench the flames as embers showered down on his roof.

“While many of our neighbors lost everything, we were able to save our home and our churro business,” Velasquez stated.

When the fires spread to their homes, many Altadena residents had nowhere to go because they were at work.

A Grim Toll

In Los Angeles County, 130,000 people have been ordered to evacuate thus far. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced and approximately 2,000 structures have been destroyed by the fires.

Firefighters caution that despite a modest improvement, the situation is still unstable due to dry conditions and the possibility of wind picking up again.

Some of the deadliest flames in Los Angeles’ history are still raging, leaving behind devastation, grief, and uncertainty.

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Source : apnews

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