Firefighters Make Headway Against L.A. Wildfires as Fierce Winds Lose Steam

LOS ANGELES — A destructive series of wildfires have left five dead and devastated nearly 2,000 homes and businesses across the Los Angeles area. The fierce winds, reaching up to 100 mph, intensified the blazes, leading to mass evacuations from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena as residents scrambled for safety.

While strong winds previously hindered firefighting efforts, conditions calmed on Thursday, offering hope for progress against the raging fires, particularly the extensive ones in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Firefighters swiftly attacked the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills, enabling them to gain control just hours after it erupted.

Wednesday evening marked the onset of the latest infernos, igniting fears in densely populated neighborhoods close to the heart of Los Angeles. In stark contrast, just a mile away, the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame and other landmarks bustled with tourists capturing the chaos on their phones. Capt. Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department credited successful efforts to “hit it hard and fast,” aided by slightly milder weather.

The previous day saw hurricane-force winds push embers across neighborhoods, creating chaos in Pacific Palisades and Altadena as aircraft ground to a halt and firefighting efforts stalled. The devastation is staggering, with figures indicating approximately 42 square miles burned, an area comparable to San Francisco.

Amid the destruction, heart-wrenching stories emerged. Jose Velasquez managed to save his family’s churro business in Altadena by dousing it with water while embers rained down. Others were not so fortunate; many neighbors returned home only to find their houses reduced to ash.

In Pasadena, Fire Chief Chad Augustin faced challenges due to overloaded water systems and outages, rendering firefighters nearly powerless against the fierce flames fueled by erratic wind gusts. Satellite images starkly illustrate the destruction, revealing once-thriving communities reduced to rubble.

More than half a dozen schools report damage, and classes at UCLA were canceled for the week. Areas like Sylmar also faced destruction, with residents scrambling to escape as flames encroached on their homes. Major roadways became impassable as some chose to abandon their vehicles for safety.

Star-studded neighborhoods housing celebrities such as Mandy Moore and Billy Crystal were not spared. Crystal expressed profound sorrow, stating, “Every inch of our house was filled with love.” Local businesses faced a similar fate, with grocery stores and boutiques in Palisades Village obliterated.

The fire season in California is predicted to lengthen due to climate change, with rising temperatures leading to earlier outbreaks and prolonged dry conditions. With little rain since May, contributing factors are aligning for increased wildfire risk.

Amid the chaos, President Joe Biden declared a federal emergency, responding to the urgent needs of the communities affected. Several Hollywood studios suspended productions, and Universal Studios temporarily closed its theme park. As of early Thursday, around 250,000 residents were without power in Southern California.

Reeling from the destruction, some, like Malibu restaurant owner Teddy Leonard, remain hopeful for the future. “As long as your family is well and everyone’s alive, you’re still winning, right?” she reflected. The recovery process will begin, but the scars of this disaster are deep and will take time to heal.