Terrified residents trapped in gridlock traffic as they try to escape LA wildfires after flames surround celeb enclave
TERRIFIED Los Angeles residents trying to flee the deadly wildfires have been left trapped in gridlocked traffic.
At least 11 people have died due to the wildfires with 13 still missing as officials warn the fires could rage on for days.
Six out of control wildfires are continuing to burn through LA with flames roaring towards more star-studded neighborhoods as the time passes by.
Residents of Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood are now desperately looking for a way out as the Palisades Fire tear through the affluent area.
The iconic Sunset Boulevard has started to overflow with motorists looking to escape the wildfire hell as long queues are starting to form on the busy roads.
Thousands of locals have been ordered to evacuate immediately as the flames crept closer to the star studded mansions.
Brentwood is one of the poshest areas of LA – known for its large homes and celebrity residents.
Celebrities including Lebron James, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kamala Harris, Jennifer Garner and US politician Robert F. Kennedy Jr all have homes in the area.
But their residences are all now under threat as the fatal flames roar across the neighborhoods.
Traffic hasn’t been helped with the immediate closure of several slip roads.
Several off-ramps to the 405 Freeway including Getty Center Drive, Skirball Center Drive, Sunset, Wilshire, Santa Monica and Olympic boulevards are all closed off.
This has left those fleeing stuck for hours trying to move away from the burning embers.
One panicked woman said she hardly moved in two hours as the mood and environment around her rapidly changed.
She told ABC: “There was a visibility when I first got here, a little bit of blue sky, and it has unfolded to absolutely ugliness.”
Authorities issued fresh mandatory evacuation orders earlier today as wind gusts as high as 70mph are set to hit – making it even more difficult to contain the blazes.
LA’s fire chief Kristin Crowley said last night saw a “significant flare up” in parts of the Palisades Fire tragedy.
The chief added that “we will be facing another critical weather event” due to the high winds as the flames continue to starch the region.
Search and rescue efforts are finally getting underway today after days of devastation.
Cadaver dogs are leading the hunt to help find “remains and reunite families”, Sheriff Robert Luna said.
Eight people have died in the Eaton Fire with the remaining three being killed in the Palisades Fire.
Around 153,000 people have been evacuated across the county with 166,000 more being placed under severe warnings.
Tens of thousands of structures have been burnt to the ground across several areas.
The devastating fires are set to have a costly impact on the city and its residents – with private forecaster Accuweather estimating the total damage and economic loss up to $150 billion.
Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed over 1,400 firefighters, with additional teams arriving from neighbouring states, but the battle to contain the flames is far from over.
He has also called for an independent investigation after firefighters complained about dropping water pressure in many hydrants across the city.
Meanwhile, satellite pictures have revealed whole blocks of homes in Los Angeles have been burned to rubble by the wildfires.
The snaps show before, during, and after the uncontrolled blazes have burned through LA homes and celebrity enclaves and caused thousands to flee.
Some of those homes belong to celebrities, with Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, Miles Teller, and Anthony Hopkins among those to lose their abodes.
The wind-fuelled flames haven’t spared the homes of the rich and famous with Hollywood A-listers tragically seeing their houses turned to smouldering rubble.
This includes supermodel Bella Hadid, Spencer Pratt and Oscar winner Mel Gibson.
Other celebrities like Tom Hanks, 68, and Steven Spielberg, 78, had their homes narrowly spared in the fires.
A former Aussie child actor was tragically killed in the devastating wildfires after his mum failed to save him due to water shortage.
Brit-born Rory Callum Sykes, 32, was left trapped inside a self-contained cottage in Malibu after it caught fire from flying embers.
Mum Shelley said she tried to put out the embers that landed on the roof of the 17-acre property with a hose but the water supply was turned off.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance in Los Angeles to meet the victims of the devasting wildfires.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also served food and donated toys and essential supplies to the victims outside the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena.
'War zone' LA feels 'broken' as fires still ravage the city - but we will rebuild
Every year Los Angeles braces itself for wildfires. It is not uncommon to see flames torching the hills and even houses burning to the ground.
But many residents have never witnessed anything as devastating as this week. And it’s nowhere near over.
I spent time near Pacific Palisades, where thick smoke filled the air, and saw desperate families fleeing the city while others begged police to give them access to their properties as roads were blocked off.
“Everything is gone” was heard many times, as thousands of people were left homeless and with few possessions.
I was lucky to only have the power go out in my home, but I’ll never forget what I witnessed traveling throughout the city.
It was like a war zone.
During a visit to a shelter, I spoke with a resident who has lived in his home for almost 30 years and is battling cancer. He stayed long after he was told to pack up and go.
It was only when flames began leaping around his building that he finally gathered his belongings and ran out.
I reported from Altadena, where buildings were still engulfed in flames, and few fire trucks were in sight as emergency services were overwhelmed.
Cars and school buses were completely torched, and heartbroken families stood around in shock, not being able to process what had happened.
As the sun went down, I drove back home towards the city center, which I felt was safe, until I saw orange flames leaping behind buildings just minutes from my house.
I felt sick. I’ve never known wildfires so close to Hollywood, and suddenly, phones were blaring with emergency notifications to evacuate the area.
Traffic lights and street lamps were out, and areas filled with fallen trees from the strong winds became gridlocked.
I feel extremely lucky I live minutes outside of the evacuation zone, but friends panicked and fled their homes.
Although many worldwide will merely shrug when they hear wealthy people have lost their homes, the reality is very different.
The city as a whole feels broken, everyone from single mothers to elderly people have been through hell.
And people are angry.
Dozens have spoken of their insurance policies being canceled just months before the fires, while others are reeling over alleged corruption and mismanagement.
They may be angry. But they are also hopeful. The people of Los Angeles are made of strong stuff.
We will get through this. And we will rebuild.