February 11, 2025

Massive Wildfires Ravage Thousands of Acres in LA

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US-WEATHER-FIRE-EATON

A playground burns in a residential neighborhood during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2025. - A ferocious wildfire in a Los Angeles suburb devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations January 7, as hurricane-force winds tore through the region. More than 200 acres (80 hectares) was burning in Pacific Palisades, a upscale spot with multi-million dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains. Across town, on the northern edge of Los Angeles, another fire broke out in Eaton Canyon, near Pasadena, quickly consuming 200 acres (81 hectares) later in the night, according to Angeles National Forest officials. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

Wildfires are sweeping across vast stretches of land in Los Angeles, with dry conditions and strong winds fueling the rapid spread of flames. Firefighters are struggling to contain these wildfires, which continue to grow at an alarming rate. The situation remains fluid, and officials warn that the fires are still expanding uncontrollably.

The largest of these fires is the one burning in the Pacific Palisades area, which is known for being home to numerous celebrities. This fire is now regarded as the most destructive wildfire in the history of Los Angeles, having already destroyed over 5,300 buildings. The fire continues to rage, and thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate. This catastrophic blaze is part of a series of fires across the region that have already caused immense damage.

Apart from the Palisades fire, there are five other active fires burning in Los Angeles County, each causing significant concern:

  • Palisades Fire: The largest fire currently burning is situated between Santa Monica and Malibu. It has already consumed more than 20,000 acres of land. Over 5,300 buildings have been destroyed, and at least 30,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.
  • Eaton Fire: The second-largest fire, burning to the north of Pasadena, has already destroyed over 13,690 acres of land. It is feared that up to 4,000 structures may have been damaged or destroyed by this blaze, which has already claimed five lives.
  • Hurst Fire: Situated to the northeast of Los Angeles, the Hurst fire has already burned 850 acres, and firefighters are working to prevent it from spreading further.
  • Lidia Fire: This fire, which is reported to be in the hills to the north of Los Angeles, has already consumed around 350 acres of land, and fire crews are working to gain control.
  • Kenneth Fire: Beginning Thursday afternoon, this fire in the West Hills area just north of the Pacific Palisades has already burned 960 acres, with more acreage expected to be impacted as the fire progresses.

While some smaller fires have been contained, the major fires, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, are still raging out of control. In total, more than 20,000 buildings are believed to have been either damaged or destroyed by these ongoing fires, and many more could be at risk depending on how the fires spread in the coming hours.

The situation is further exacerbated by the sheer speed at which the fires are spreading. For instance, the Palisades fire expanded from 772 acres to nearly 20,000 acres in just a few hours. The rapid growth of these fires has led to massive evacuations and widespread panic among residents. Thousands of people in the affected areas have been forced to flee their homes, leaving behind their belongings in the face of the approaching flames. The Eaton fire, too, has grown exponentially, expanding from 1,000 acres on Tuesday to more than 13,000 acres by Wednesday, making it a significant threat to many neighborhoods.

Satellite images and mapping technology have provided a striking visualization of the fires, allowing people to understand the scale of the devastation. In fact, the Palisades fire, which has now become one of the largest fires in California’s history, can be compared in size to large areas of major cities like New York and London. By late Tuesday evening, the fire had already reached a size similar to the expanse of lower Manhattan and parts of Queens, or the areas stretching from Clapham to Greenwich in London.

The destruction caused by the fires is not limited to homes and buildings. In Altadena, a neighborhood affected by the Eaton fire, several significant structures have been destroyed. Notably, the Jewish Temple in Pasadena, which had been in operation since 1941, has been lost in the flames. The temple, which served a congregation of more than 400 families, was completely destroyed by the fire, contributing to the loss of an important community landmark.

As firefighters continue to battle the raging fires, the damage continues to unfold. Thousands of homes have already been lost, and many more are at risk as the fires grow in size and intensity. With more than 1,400 firefighters deployed to battle the blazes, officials are doing everything in their power to prevent further destruction. However, the situation is dire, and authorities are urging those in affected areas to evacuate immediately and follow official instructions.

The ongoing wildfires serve as a tragic reminder of the destructive power of nature and the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions. With more than 20,000 acres already burned, the full extent of the damage may not be realized until the fires are fully contained. As of now, the battle continues, and the city of Los Angeles remains in a state of emergency as it faces one of its worst wildfire seasons in history.

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