Wildfires in at least six areas of Los Angeles city of America have destroyed homes and businesses spread over an area of more than 17,000 acres. According to US officials, a large-scale firefighting effort is underway on Thursday to extinguish the fire. According to American media, the fire crossed the prestigious Hollywood Hills and reached the homes of many prominent American celebrities by Thursday evening.
Satellite images captured by Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs PBC show extensive damage in several high-profile areas. Emergency teams are battling the out-of-control fire, which has led to the immediate evacuation of people. There are reports of deaths of at least five people. Although wildfires are common in Southern California, they are unlikely to ever pose such a significant threat to metropolitan areas. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said, “This fire is terrible.”
Compulsory evacuation orders have been issued to more than 1 lakh residents. There has been electricity failure in the homes of millions of people. Due to the thick black smoke, day turned into night and embers glowing like lightning were visible in the sky.
Of the six separate wildfires in Los Angeles, three were completely out of control, including two large fires on the east and west sides of the city and the smaller Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills, just above Hollywood Boulevard and its Walk of Fame. Is included.
According to state fire agency Cal Fire, officials have deployed 836 firefighters, seven helicopters, 149 fire tenders and four dozers and water tenders. Many firefighting air tankers from across the state of California are flying firefighting missions.
The largest fire was the 15,000-acre Palisades Fire, which had already destroyed more than 1,000 buildings, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history, The New York Times reports.
On Thursday morning (Indian time), about 16 million people were under red flag alert in Southern California, which is the highest fire-related alert. The agency predicted the severe fire would subside overnight due to strong winds and dry conditions, but would remain severe until at least Friday.