California is currently facing a serious wildfire crisis. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that more than 14,000 firefighters have been deployed to combat the flames. The Governor described the wildfire as “unprecedented”. Also, he emphasized that emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are working tirelessly to mitigate the crisis. Continue reading to learn all about the ongoing Palisades Wildfire and other relevant updates.
Palisades Wildfire Updates
Firefighters are battling three major wildfires in the state. Together, these have burned nearly 4,500 acres of land. Local fire officials report that significant evacuation orders have been issued for thousands of residents. Six emergency shelters are currently open. These are to assist those who have been forced to evacuate.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley held a press conference to address the same. She stated that more than 25,000 people living in 10,000 homes are at risk due to the fires. The city of Malibu has warned its residents to be ready to evacuate at short notice. This has reflected severely on the emergency situation.
Also read : Altadena Wildfire Update: Pacific Palisades & Eaton Canyon Fires
Destruction Caused by the Wildfires
The wildfires have already caused major destruction. This is particularly done in the Pacific Palisades area. This area lies between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu. Reports indicate that several buildings have been damaged due to the crisis. CAL Fire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is responding to three chief wildfires. These include the Palisades fire, the Eaton fire, and the Hurst fire. The Palisades fire is currently estimated to cover 2921 acres. Meanwhile, the Eaton fire has burned approximately 1000 acres.
The Hurst fire in Sylmar was reported to cover around 500 acres. Unfortunately, all three of them have not been completely contained. This implies that they are still spreading. As residents evacuate, highways are congested with people escaping the rising flames. One evacuee, Cindy Festa shared her experience. She described how the fire was alarmingly close to her car as she fled from home. She also noted that many people abandoned their cars on Palisades Drive. This was when flames were engulfing the hillside and palm trees nearby.
Water Supply Issues from Hydrants
In addition to the fire crisis, there is also another issue at hand now. The water supply to fire hydrants is facing a shortage. In some affected areas, there is a lack of water in the hydrants. Rick Caruso, one of the residents of Palisades Village, mentioned how there is a lack of water in the hydrants. He stated that firefighters were unable to mitigate the crisis due to this shortage. He described the situation as dire, with neighborhood homes and businesses burning.
When asked about the situation, firefighters revealed that water hydrants in Pacific Palisades were not functioning effectively. Furthermore, the Department of Water and Power acknowledged reports of reduced water flow. This has hindered firefighting efforts. High winds have also grounded firefighting planes. His has further complicated the process of putting out the fires.
Warnings issued to Residents
Officials in Malibu have issued warnings to residents. They have urged them to be prepared to evacuate at any moment. The city government has advised those currently not under evacuation orders to consider making preparations to leave. This is especially true in case they need extra time to leave or have pets or livestock to care about. Six evacuation centers are identified for those displaced by the wildfires.
The first is the Westwood Recreation Center or the LA City Shelter. Along with this, there is the Pasadena Convention Center. El Camino Real Charter High School is also third on the list. Agoura Animal Care Center (for small animals) is present. Also, for large animals two centers are opened. These are the LA Equestrian Center and Pierce College Equestrian Center. Due to the Eaton fire, schools in several areas including Pasadena, San Marino, and Glendale will remain closed on Wednesday. Along with this, other areas include Alhambra, Burbank, and South Pasadena. This is reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The situation remains critical as firefighters continue to mitigate the crisis. The community is urged to stay informed. They must follow evacuation measures seriously to ensure safety. Although there is a water shortage crisis at hand right now, experts are trying their best to handle the issue. The dedication of the workers and firefighters is commendable. They have been working non-stop hours since the fires started. At such a challenging time, the community and government must come together to show solidarity and support.
Also read : Southern California Windstorm: Life-Threatening Alert
