The disaster has already claimed the lives of at least 11 people and destroyed more than 10,000 structures.
Now the expansion of Los Angeles‘ Palisades fire has partially shuttered the 405 freeway, as the flames begin to encroach on the celebrity neighborhoods of Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood.
On Thursday night, Los Angeles county was still battling at least six major fires with most barely contained.
The scale of the devastation has prompted locals to demand answers from officials, amid reports that fire hydrants in some of the worst hit areas ran dry.
A Los Angeles fire chief has blasted the city’s mayor Karen Bass for ‘failing’ fire crews and communities devastated by the ongoing wildfires.
Fire Chief Kirstin Crowley took aim at the city’s leadership during an interview with KTTV on Friday, admitting it had failed those affected by the fires and prevented the LA Fire Department from effectively doing its job.
‘We are screaming to be properly funded to make sure that our firefighters can do their jobs so that we can serve the community,’ Crowley said, adding that there were ‘huge gaps’ in firefighters’ ability to tackle the blazes on the ground.
She joins a chorus of high profile celebrities who have hit out at the city’s handling of the ongoing wildfires, which have so far killed 11 people, ravaged communities, and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their properties.
- The Palisades Fire, which has burned through more than 21,000 acres, is 8% contained. Evacuation orders for the blaze expanded Friday night to parts of Encino. The Eaton Fire in the Pasadena area, which has burned across nearly 14,000 acres, is 3% contained.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom said he’s “calling for an independent investigation into the loss of water pressure to local fire hydrants and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir.”
- At least two of the people killed in the fire died while trying to protect their homes, while another stayed behind with his son who had cerebral palsy and could not evacuate.
Hundreds of animals are being cared for by humane groups in Southern California as this week’s fast-moving wildfires continue to displace residents.
“This is clearly not something that will be resolved in a day, a week,” said Ana Bustilloz, director of communications and marketing at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, or spcaLA, a local animal welfare organization. “We’re at the ready to assist.”
From cats and dogs to horses, birds and tortoises, several rescue groups are hosting a menagerie of animals while the blazes hopscotch throughout the Los Angeles area.
Some pets are staying as temporary boarders while the humans in their households stay in evacuation centers, hotels or other places that don’t allow pets. Other animals are receiving treatment for injuries.
Actor Jamie Lee Curtis is among the celebrities who have pledged their support. Curtis has said she and her family plan to donate $1 million to relief efforts.
In an Instagram post, Paris Hilton said she was launching an emergency fund through her nonprofit, was donating the first $100,000 and matching up to $100,000 more.
Note: Mandatory evacuation orders and evacuation warnings were extended tonight into Encino on the northern edge of the Palisades Fire, which is still burning after breaking out Tuesday.
The mandatory evacuation orders, meaning people should leave, extended from Sunset Boulevard north to the Encino Reservoir and from Interstate 405 to Mandeville Canyon, the LAFD said.
That area had been under an evacuation warning, meaning people should be prepared to leave.
Warnings also were extended tonight in two areas. One is Sunset Boulevard to the south; Mullholland Drive on the north; Bellagio Rd and Roscomare Road on the east; and the 405 freeway on the west.
The other is: Mulholland Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard on the south; the 405 freeway on the east; Ventura Boulevard on the north; and Louise Avenue on the west.
