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Wildfires raged out of control across Los Angeles for the second day in a row, forcing the evacuation of more than 100,000 Southern California residents and killing five people.
The fire spread to the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, forcing evacuations from the densely populated hillside overlooking iconic tourist attractions such as the Hollywood Bowl and the Walk of Fame.
The Hollywood fire brings yet another challenge to firefighters, who have struggled to extinguish multiple blazes in the city and its suburbs since Tuesday’s blaze broke out in Pacific Palisades, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the United States. It gave me pressure.
Insurance companies are preparing for what is expected to be one of the costliest natural disasters in California’s history.
Strong winds sparked flames in at least four locations covering more than 25,000 acres, sending acrid smoke and black plumes of ash across the city. Wind gusts reached 80 to 80 mph across the region, hampering efforts to contain the fire, the National Weather Service said.
Air quality in much of Los Angeles was deemed “very unhealthy” and there was a strong smell of smoke in parts of the city far from the fires. At a press conference on Wednesday, authorities acknowledged they were struggling to keep up with the rapidly evolving situation.
Little is known about how the fire started, but the strong wind conditions that helped the fire spread are expected to continue. Low humidity and drought conditions are expected to continue in Los Angeles and Ventura counties until at least Friday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard. President Joe Biden on Wednesday released federal funds to pay for loans covering temporary housing, home repairs and uninsured property losses. Los Angeles County announced Thursday it would close schools.
Destruction began Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, home to prominent Hollywood stars such as comedians Billy Crystal and Paris Hilton, whose home was among more than 1,000 buildings destroyed.
The fire quickly spread as far north as Malibu, where embers carried by strong wind gusts engulfed entire streets and threatened buildings in Santa Monica to the south. The fire has since spread to more than 15,800 acres.
Fires also broke out in areas north and east of Los Angeles, including the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, Altadena and Pasadena.
Efforts to contain the fire on Wednesday were hampered when so-called super scooper planes, which fetch water from the sea, were unable to land due to strong winds. However, by evening, helicopters began dropping water on the Hollywood fire.
Some Pacific Palisades residents evacuated on foot Tuesday and are calling friends and family to ask which homes are still standing. Many evacuated to nearby Santa Monica were told they would have to move again as the fires continued.
“This is a tragic time in our history here in Los Angeles,” Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said. “It is important that we remain patient, united and focused on saving lives.”
The fires halted work in Hollywood and forced pre-Oscar screenings and celebrations to be postponed. Warner Bros. halted production at its Burbank property because of the fire, and Paramount postponed the premiere of new films. Better man. Universal on Friday canceled a party hosted by Donna Langley, chairman of NBCUniversal Studios and Entertainment.
Early predictions of financial devastation are beginning to materialize, with AccuWeather estimating that total damage and economic losses could reach up to $57 billion.
Home prices in the Palisades area average around $3.5 million, and bills in the region can run into the billions.
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