Los Angeles wildfire: Fresh fire breaks out in Hollywood hills, 5 dead, 1 lakh people evacuated
Los Angeles/IBNS: Five people died and one lakh people were evacuated as a fresh fire broke out in the Hollywood hills amid the raging wildfire that threatened to engulf Los Angeles in the United States, media reports said.
The fresh fire in the Hollywood Hills prompted LA Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley to conclude a presser abruptly while giving an update.
At least six fires are currently raging in Los Angeles where lives have plunged into utter chaos.
LA Mayor Karen Bass posted on X, "We are deploying LAPD officers to respond to Hollywood to help alleviate evacuation traffic. We are working urgently to close roads, redirect traffic and expand access for LAFD vehicles to respond to the growing fire."
We are deploying LAPD officers to respond to Hollywood to help alleviate evacuation traffic.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 9, 2025
We are working urgently to close roads, redirect traffic and expand access for LAFD vehicles to respond to the growing fire.
Another 37,000 people have been displaced due to the Palisades inferno, BBC News reported.
Due to shortage of water, the firefighters resorted to collecting water from swimming pools and ponds to douse the fire.
An X post by billionaire Elon Musk shows how several vehicles are in flames due to the wildfire which prompted a state of emergency in California.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2025
In a separate video, a deer was seen running for an escape route as wildfire rages while major parts of Pacific Palisades were seen being wiped off due to the fire.
Major parts of Pacific Palisades has essentially been wiped off the map as the sun rises in Los Angeles
— World Hall Of Fun (@WorldHallOfFun) January 8, 2025
Countless homes and businesses have been turned to ash
And the fire is still 0% contained.
pic.twitter.com/czgBg7O6Py
The National Weather Service had earlier said in an advisory: "This is a particularly dangerous situation for portions of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties!"
Pacific Palisades resident Cindy Festa said that as she evacuated, fires were "this close to the cars," demonstrating with her thumb and forefinger.
"People left their cars on Palisades Drive. Burning up the hillside. The palm trees - everything is going," Festa said from her car.