In Los Angeles, wildfires have ravaged over 17,000 acres, destroying homes and businesses. Massive firefighting efforts are underway, with flames reaching celebrity residences by Thursday evening.
Source: aajtak
Satellite images captured by Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs PBC reveal significant damage in multiple high-profile areas. Emergency teams are battling the uncontrollable blaze, prompting urgent evacuations. There are reports of at least five fatalities. While wildfires are common in Southern California, they rarely pose such a substantial threat to metropolitan regions. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the fire as "ferocious."
Source: aajtak
Mandatory evacuation orders have displaced over 100,000 residents, and millions have experienced power outages. Dense black smoke has turned day into night, with embers lighting up the sky like fireworks.
Source: aajtak
Three of the six wildfires in Los Angeles are completely out of control, including two large fires on the city's eastern and western edges and the smaller Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills, right above Hollywood Boulevard and its Walk of Fame.
Source: aajtak
According to the state's firefighting agency, Cal Fire, authorities have deployed 836 firefighters, seven helicopters, 149 fire tenders, and four dozers with water tenders. Numerous firefighting air tankers from across California are on missions to extinguish the flames.
Source: aajtak
The New York Times reports the largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, spans 15,000 acres and has already destroyed over 1,000 structures, marking it as the most devastating fire in Los Angeles' history.
By Thursday morning (Indian Standard Time), approximately 16 million people in Southern California were on red flag alert, the highest level of fire-related alert. The agency predicts that due to high winds and dry conditions, the severe fire conditions will persist overnight, remaining intense at least through Friday.
Source: aajtak
