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At least four wildfires are still raging through the Los Angeles area on Wednesday. The fires turned deadly, and authorities are warning that the worst is yet to come, as the strong winds show no sign of easing up.
In a press conference Wednesday morning, officials said at least two people have been killed in the Eaton Fire, and multiple other firefighters and civilians have been injured. An estimated 70,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, including many celebrities, and the city’s water tanks have reportedly “run out,” with no water coming out of the hydrants in some areas.
Fueled by 100-mph ‘hurricane force’ winds, sparks are flying through the air and starting new fires, growing from just a small flame to an out-of-control blaze in just minutes, in some areas.
The inferno started with the Palisades fire. Next the Woodley, Eaton and Hurst fires started. A fifth fire, in Tyler, California burned about 15 acres, but is now reportedly contained.
The Eaton Fire alone has now spread to 10,600 acres, as of Wednesday morning.
The Eaton Fire is now 10,600+ acres.
— Los Angeles Scanner (@LosAngeles_Scan) January 8, 2025
And the Palisades fire has spread to over 5,000 acres.
Palisades fire now at 5,000+ acres.
— Los Angeles Scanner (@LosAngeles_Scan) January 8, 2025
Over 1,000 structures have been burned in the Palisades fire.
1,000+ structures have been destroyed in the Palisades Fire.
— Los Angeles Scanner (@LosAngeles_Scan) January 8, 2025
During the night on Tuesday, airplanes helping fight the fire had to be grounded, due to the high winds. Authorities said at the press conference Wednesday morning that the planes have now been able to resume their water drops.
About 100 of the 1,000 schools in the Los Angeles area have been closed Wednesday, due to the fires. Some schools have burned.
Tuesday night, the scene was terrifying, both from the ground…
Palisades Fire, West Side Pacific Coast Highway headed toward Malibu.
This is a full on disaster!@BillMelugin_ pic.twitter.com/e6sTAn9R34— F the Pump (@FthePump1) January 8, 2025
And from the air…
Terrified passengers aboard a flight out of LAX watch as they fly straight over and into a smoke cloud from the #PalisadesFire pic.twitter.com/e5LotZlhL1
— LA Scanner (@LAScanner) January 8, 2025
Firefighters reportedly don’t have enough manpower… or water… to fight the flames.
Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, is asking some serious questions in a post on Wednesday.
“Our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes and are seeking shelter. Fires in LA are sadly no surprise, yet the Mayor cut LA Fire Department’s budget by $23M. And reports of empty fire hydrants raise serious questions. Competence matters,” he wrote.
Our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes and are seeking shelter. Fires in LA are sadly no surprise, yet the Mayor cut LA Fire Department’s budget by $23M. And reports of empty fire hydrants raise serious questions. Competence matters… Follow @latimes for live…
— Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong (@DrPatSoonShiong) January 8, 2025
Photographer @WallySkalij captures the fire along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Read all the latest coverage here: https://t.co/PDf8LS63Cp pic.twitter.com/aDFapni9VT
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 8, 2025
CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti shared one horrifying video and wrote, “Malibu’s iconic sand castles are crumbling… one at a time. This has been a numbing and terrifying 14 hours in California history.”
Malibu’s iconic sand castles are crumbling… one at a time. This has been a numbing and terrifying 14 hours in California history. pic.twitter.com/JmHym7tyQK
— Jonathan Vigliotti 🐋 (@JonVigliotti) January 8, 2025
Another chilling video from a vehicle driving through the Malibu Beach area shows every home going up in flames.
“This is the most wild thing I think I’ve ever seen.”
These homes are on the Malibu beach. #PalisadesFire pic.twitter.com/hA3KU1A9A4
— Tyler Fredrickson (@TheTFreddy) January 8, 2025
“This is what’s left of the Pacific Palisades. The mall survived. Most everything else is gone. Homes, apartment complexes… businesses,” Vigliotti announced.
This is what’s left of the Pacific Palisades. The mall survived. Most everything else is gone. Homes, apartment complexes… businesses. pic.twitter.com/Vfz721V48J
— Jonathan Vigliotti 🐋 (@JonVigliotti) January 8, 2025
“More from Pacific Palisades. Unimaginable loss. Lives changed forever. Fires still rage along with 100mph gusts. Firefighters look like they’re attending a wake,” Vigliotti added.
More from Pacific Palisades. Unimaginable loss. Lives changed forever. Fires still rage along with 100mph gusts. Firefighters look like they’re attending a wake. pic.twitter.com/EvvfENtXvF
— Jonathan Vigliotti 🐋 (@JonVigliotti) January 8, 2025
One large home was seen collapsing in a heap on live television.
WATCH: Front wall of home engulfed in flames collapses in Los Angeles, California during FOX Weather coverage on the wildfires. pic.twitter.com/8OYwpqBFIz
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) January 8, 2025
NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz shared more sickening videos:
Total destruction in Malibu. These were beachfront homes on Pacific Coast Highway. #palisadesfire pic.twitter.com/DhQnJMmoUW
— Liz Kreutz (@LizKreutzNews) January 8, 2025
Sun beginning to come up as multiple homes continue to burn right on the Malibu coast. #palisadesfire pic.twitter.com/6JimG1mWnV
— Liz Kreutz (@LizKreutzNews) January 8, 2025
Homes still on fire here in Malibu #palisadesfire pic.twitter.com/UZLRbqMxwR
— Liz Kreutz (@LizKreutzNews) January 8, 2025
This is all that’s left of a Bank of America building and a restaurant, as the outside walls stand like a naked skeleton.
UPDATE DAY 2: Many downtown businesses destroyed by #PalisadesFire. This is what’s left of a @BankofAmerica and Casa Nostra Restaurant. @NewsNation pic.twitter.com/9QC1UpPwPU
— Nancy Loo (@NancyLoo) January 8, 2025
Derrick Townsend posted an eerie and sickening “sunrise” video Wednesday morning.
#Sunrise from #SantaMonica beach filled with sorrow and loss. Thank you again to all first responders fighting this blaze. #PalisadeFire pic.twitter.com/8u45Wkk2Wx
— Derrick Townsend (@Derrick_NOLA) January 8, 2025
RAWSALERTS also posted a video of the sunrise, described as ‘apocalyptic footage’ of Los Angeles.
🚨#BREAKING: Dramatic apocalyptic footage of the Sun Rising Behind the Los Angeles Skyline Shrouded in Smoke from major wildfires rage on ⁰⁰📌#LosAngeles | #Californa ⁰
Watch as dramatic apocalyptic footage captured by a California resident shows the sun rising with an eerie… pic.twitter.com/P0WFimWMBN— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 8, 2025
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