LA braces for 50mph winds set to fan deadly flames that killed 16 as out-of-control blaze heads towards key exit road
LOS Angeles is preparing to battle dangerous 50mph winds that could fan the out-of-control flames to spark new deadly blazes.
Mandatory evacuation orders are now in place with the lethal weather set to hit tonight and last for over 48 hours – making it the “biggest challenge” for firefighters.
At least 16 people have already been killed in the devastating fires, while 16 others have been reported missing.
Authorities fear the death toll is likely to rise in the coming days.
California governor Gavin Newsom has said the wildfires will be the worst natural disaster in US history in terms of “cost… scale and scope”.
Speaking to NBC News yesterday, he said the biggest challenge will be the dangerous winds: “We’ve got these winds coming back this evening, Sunday night, we’ve got peak winds on Monday.
“We’re going to see 50mph gusts.”
He added there could be “flare-ups in new places”.
The Palisade flare-up – the worst of the wildfires still spreading – is now inching closer to the Interstate 405 freeway – one of the busy exit passes being used in the evacuation process.
There are fears that the expected winds could now move on the fire – or create new ones due to flying embers.
These flickers could target towards some of the city’s most famous landmarks and leave behind further trails of destruction.
This includes the iconic $1.3billion Paul Getty Museum and the University of California.
High winds have already wreaked havoc and caused the Palisades Fire in Southern California to spread towards the east.
The fire is the biggest of all and has so far burned down 22,660 acres of land destroying more than 5,316 structures.
Firefighters have only been able to contain 11 per cent of the fire, according to the LA Fire Department.
The Eaton fire has destroyed over 15,000 and 7,000 structures with 15 per cent contained.
Hurst has also spread to around 1,000 acres.
Meanwhile, Kenneth, Lidia and Archer fires have been 100 per cent contained by the fire department – but the damage still remains.
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.
It comes as:
- At least 16 people still missing with four blazes out of control
- Residents got trapped in gridlock traffic trying to escape
- First details of victims in LA wildfires emerge
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make surprise LA appearance
- Former Aussie child actor tragically killed in wildfire
- A-lister celebs battled to get rooms in LA
Deanne Criswell, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), told CNN: “The winds are potentially getting dangerous and strong again.
“The biggest thing that people need to know is that this is still dangerous.”
Criswell revealed that the active duty US military personnel stand ready to deploy to contain wildfires if need be.
Affluent residents of Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood are now desperately looking for a way out as the fire approaches the area.
Thousands of locals have been ordered to evacuate immediately.
People are rushing to Santa Anita Park and the horseracing track now looks like a warzone refugee camp, Sky News reports.
The nearby Sunset Boulevard has started to overflow with escaping motorists as long queues are starting to form on the busy roads.
Brentwood is one of the poshest areas of LA – known for its large homes and celebrity residents.
Celebrities including Lebron James, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jennifer Garner have homes in the area.
Their residences are all now under threat.
Firefighters were seen bombarding bright pink-colored fire retardants over the Palisades Fire in a bid to stop them from spreading.
The foamy chemical – which acts as a fire blanket – is made up of salts and fertilizers which can help to slow down the spread of a fire.
A DC-10 air tanker was flying over the Palisades fire as it dropped around 10,000 gallons of the chemical to prevent fire from reaching Brentwood – a place many high-profile celebs call home.
Incredible pictures show affluent neighborhoods covered with the pink chemical in what looks like an apocalyptic movie.
One picture shows a backyard with a pool covered in hues of pink after tanker planes dropped chemicals all over the area.
Others show empty streets with mailboxes and cars covered with the chemical.
American politician Robert F. Kennedy Jr also lives in Brentwood in his $6.6million home, while Vice President Kamala Harris also has a home in the area.
Chilling before and after footage shows the utter devastation caused by the Palisades fire that firefighters are yet to contain.
The 46-second clip made by Reuters shows footage of buildings before and after the catastrophic blaze.
It shows burned-down buildings and streets covered in ash.
Prevent looting
A 6pm to 6am curfew has been imposed in the worst-hit areas to prevent looting.
Looters dressing as firefighters are storming residential areas in the wake of the tragedy.
Members of the National Guard — the equivalent of the UK’s Army Reserve — have been drafted in to help enforce it.
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said 22 people had so far been arrested for curfew violations, trespassing, burglary and looting.
He said yesterday that it was unclear how the blazes began and urged the public to get in touch if they have useful information.
He added: “We are not going to leave any rock unturned if this is a criminal act . . . everything is absolutely on the table.”
Mayor Karen Bass said she condemns criminal “predators” who are using the fires to take advantage of others.
Authorities are now working alongside the FBI as investigations continue over the wildfires.
Two men were arrested outside Kamala Harris’s home in Brentwood for violating the curfew orders and potential burglary , The Telegraph reports.
Meanwhile, LA County officials have declared a health emergency – warning people that wildfire smoke and particulate matter could pose immediate and long-term threats.
People have been advised not to leave their houses and wear masks if needed.
Fires and strong winds have “severely degraded air quality… posing immediate and long-term risks to public health”, a statement read.
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 BACKLASH
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.
The governor has received severe backlash over the handling of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
The most prominent criticism came from Donald Trump who blamed Newsomn for failing to contain the fires.
He again wrote on social media today: “The fires are still raging in LA. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out.”
But Newsom hit back at Trump today, saying Trump is “creating a crisis” by taking “cheap political shots”.
Newsom also announced executive orders to fast-track LA’s rebuilding process when the tragedy is over, according to NBC.
The governor told the news outlet: “Here’s the big thing. I’m worried about issues of rebuilding.
“One thing I won’t give in to is delay. Delay is denial for people. Lives, traditions, and places, are torn apart, torn asunder. Families, schools, community centres.”
Meanwhile, celebs including Kim Kardashian, Sylvester Stallone and Kevin Hart were fined in recent years for allegedly breaking strict water conserving rules, Mail on Sunday reports.
One neighbor of Ms Kardashin said: “Everyone was told to cut back on water precisely for this situation, to preserve it to fight fires.
“They carried on watering because they could afford the fines.”
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.
Victims of LA wildfires
AT least 16 people have been killed so far in the devastating wildfires ripping through LA, according to the official death count.
Here is what we know about them:
Rory Callum Sykes
Brit-born Sykes, 32, was left trapped inside a self-contained cottage in Malibu after it caught fire from flying embers.
Skyes’ death was confirmed by his mum Shelley who said he was a “wonderful” son.
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.
She was forced to drive a quarter mile to find first responders after she failed to connect through 911.
Firefighters told her that Skyes died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Anthony and Justin Mitchell
Anthony was a 67-year-old great-grandfather of 10 who tragically died in his Altadena home.
His son Justin Mitchell also died.
Justin’s older brother – also called Anthony – told NBC News: “He probably could have gotten himself out but he wasn’t going to leave my brother.
“He really loved his kids.”
Rodney Kent Nickerson
Rodney, 83, also died in his Altadena home shortly after he reassured his family members that he would be fine.
His daughter Kimiko Nickerson told KCAL News: “My son tried to get him to leave, and my neighbours and myself and he said he’ll be fine, I’ll be here when you guys come back.
“And he said his house would be here.”
Victor Shaw
Victor Shaw, 66, was trying to protect his decades-old family home when he was tragically killed in the Eaton Fire.
Sister Shari Shaw, told ABC News that he died in a “heroic act” and that his body was found with a water hose still in his hand.
She said: “I can’t imagine what he might have been thinking, how he might have been so frightened.
“And I couldn’t be here, I couldn’t be here to save him. I couldn’t be here, that’s what hurts the most.”
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
The U.S. Sun’s Assistant Editor for Exclusives Katy Forrester is an LA resident and she witnessed first-hand the horror as flames engulfed the city. She said the city feels like a “war zone“.
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.