LOS ANGELES could face “explosive fire growth” in the coming days as blazing wildfires threaten to burn through more A-list neighborhoods.
Firefighters have been tirelessly fighting against the raging fires which have decimated several regions of California with the threat of high winds set to cause further problems.
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Los Angeles will face ‘explosive fire growth’ in the coming days, a meteorologist has warnedCredit: AP
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The Palisades fire has left carnage in its wake across several regions including the Mandeville Canyon neighborhoodCredit: AP
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LA is bracing to battle dangerous 50 to 65mph winds that could fan the out-of-control flames towards the Hollywood hub of Brentwood or even the iconic San Fernando Valley.
Brentwood – known as one of the poshest areas of LA – has even now ordered its residents to evacuate immediately as the threat grows over the fires escalating.
Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service made a chilling prediction earlier today about how the fires may only worsen.
He told the LA Times: “There will be the potential for explosive fire growth as those winds pick back up.”
read more in LA wildfires
The winds are expected to cause carnage late on Sunday night and potentially continue through to Wednesday.
Deanne Criswell, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), told CNN: “The winds are potentially getting dangerous and strong again.
“The biggest thing that people need to know is that this is still dangerous.”
This unpredictable weather is generally expected to push the existing deadly fires at a southward and westward angle.
It comes as 16 deaths have been confirmed so far due to the fires.
Another 16 people are still missing with officials fearing the death toll could soon rise again.
Aerial vid shows full apocalyptic scale of LA fires with wall of flames barrelling towards homes sending celebs fleeing
Three wildfires remain uncontained and are still spreading in the areas of Hurst, Palisades and Eaton.
The largest two remain as the Palisades and now Eaton.
They cover a combined 38,000 acres and have only been contained 11 per cent and 27 per cent respectively.
Over 105,000 residents were told to evacuate from the two regions today.
The Hurst and Eaton fires both sit in precarious positions should the heavy winds begin to impact thew way meteorologists fear.
Both are in a prime position to hit Brentwood if they go south or west – pushing them directly towards some of America’s biggest and most expensive mansions.
Brentwood is known for its celebrity residents.
Stars including Lebron James, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kamala Harris, Jennifer Garner and US politician Robert F. Kennedy Jr all have homes in the area.
But their residences are all now under threat as the fatal flames roar towards the neighborhood.
Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins warned that Brentwood is at a high risk along with the San Fernando Valley due to how fast it spread across the Mandeville Canyon in recent days.
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LA county sheriff Robert Luna described some parts of the county as ‘looking like warzones’Credit: AP
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An air tanker drops fire retardant at the Palisades FireCredit: Getty
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The damage from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los AngelesCredit: Reuters
The famous valley is seen as one of America’s brightest areas due to its historical film making routes.
Movie giants Disney, Warner Bros, Universal Studios and Dreamworks Animation all have headquarters in San Fernando.
The area is home to 1.8 million residents across 350 square miles of prime real estate.
But the worsening wildfires are rapidly creeping up on the affluent area and putting all those residents at risk.
Deanne Criswell, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), told CNN: “The winds are potentially getting dangerous and strong again.
“The biggest thing that people need to know is that this is still dangerous.”
DEADLY WILDFIRES LATEST
Officials are battling against the terrifying wildfires with another 1,000 troops now being sent to tackle the blazes.
Around 2,500 California National Guard members will soon be helping to extinguish the three remaining fires after governor Gavin Newsom announced the latest deployments.
Over the past few days, more than 15,000 firefighters, highway officers and transportation teams have been supporting the firefight.
Many have helped on foot where as others have been tasked with using over 1,350 fire engines and 80 aircraft to pour water and fire retardant over the towering infernos.
Governor Newsom said: “The men and women of the California National Guard have been on the ground since day one.
‘War zone’ LA feels ‘broken’ as fires still ravage the city – but we will rebuild
The U.S. Sun’s Assistant Editor for Exclusives Katy Forrester is an LA resident and she witnessed first-hand the horror as flames engulfed the city. She said the city feels like a “war zone”.
EVERY year Los Angeles braces itself for wildfires. It is not uncommon to see flames torching the hills and even houses burning to the ground.
But many residents have never witnessed anything as devastating as this week. And it’s nowhere near over.
I spent time near Pacific Palisades, where thick smoke filled the air, and saw desperate families fleeing the city while others begged police to give them access to their properties as roads were blocked off.
“Everything is gone” was heard many times, as thousands of people were left homeless and with few possessions.
I was lucky to only have the power go out in my home, but I’ll never forget what I witnessed traveling throughout the city.
It was like a war zone.
During a visit to a shelter, I spoke with a resident who has lived in his home for almost 30 years and is battling cancer. He stayed long after he was told to pack up and go.
It was only when flames began leaping around his building that he finally gathered his belongings and ran out.
I reported from Altadena, where buildings were still engulfed in flames, and few fire trucks were in sight as emergency services were overwhelmed.
Cars and school buses were completely torched, and heartbroken families stood around in shock, not being able to process what had happened.
As the sun went down, I drove back home towards the city center, which I felt was safe, until I saw orange flames leaping behind buildings just minutes from my house.
I felt sick. I’ve never known wildfires so close to Hollywood, and suddenly, phones were blaring with emergency notifications to evacuate the area.
Traffic lights and street lamps were out, and areas filled with fallen trees from the strong winds became gridlocked.
I feel extremely lucky I live minutes outside of the evacuation zone, but friends panicked and fled their homes.
Although many worldwide will merely shrug when they hear wealthy people have lost their homes, the reality is very different.
The city as a whole feels broken, everyone from single mothers to elderly people have been through hell.
And people are angry.
Dozens have spoken of their insurance policies being canceled just months before the fires, while others are reeling over alleged corruption and mismanagement.
They may be angry. But they are also hopeful. The people of Los Angeles are made of strong stuff.
We will get through this. And we will rebuild.
“Not only fighting fires, but also assisting with public safety efforts in communities devastated by these fires.”
In another boost Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also offered to send 150 firefighters to combat the California wildfires.
He said: “The situation there is extremely challenging, and Ukrainians can help Americans protect lives.”
Several serious warnings are in place across neighborhoods in LA including evacuation notices.
But the latest has urged civilians to avoid drinking any tap water from their homes.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power issued a “do not drink” notices for two postcodes near the Palisades fire, NBC News reports.
Fire-related contaminants, including benzene and other volatile organic compounds could have found its way into the water systems which connect to the houses.
The department made a statement saying: “It is possible that disease-causing organisms or other contaminants could be present.
“These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.”
LA county sheriff Robert Luna described some parts of the county as looking “like warzones” as he gave an update in a daily briefing.
He said the wildfires are likely to be the worst natural disaster in US history in terms of “cost… scale and scope”.
Meanwhile, satellite pictures have revealed whole blocks of homes in Los Angeles have been burned to rubble by the wildfires.
The snaps show before, during, and after the uncontrolled blazes have burned through LA homes and celebrity enclaves and caused thousands to flee.
A former Aussie child actor was also tragically killed in the devastating wildfires after his mum failed to save him due to water shortage.
Brit-born Rory Callum Sykes, 32, was left trapped inside a self-contained cottage in Malibu after it caught fire from flying embers.
Mum Shelley said she tried to put out the embers that landed on the roof of the 17-acre property with a hose but the water supply was turned off.
Victims of LA wildfires
AT least 16 people have been killed so far in the devastating wildfires ripping through LA, according to the official death count.
Here is what we know about them:
Rory Callum Sykes
Brit-born Sykes, 32, was left trapped inside a self-contained cottage in Malibu after it caught fire from flying embers.
Skyes’ death was confirmed by his mum Shelley who said he was a “wonderful” son.
Shelley said she tried to put out the embers that landed on the roof of the 17-acre property with a hose but the water supply was turned off.
She was forced to drive a quarter mile to find first responders after she failed to connect through 911.
Firefighters told her that Skyes died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Anthony and Justin Mitchell
Anthony was a 67-year-old great-grandfather of 10 who tragically died in his Altadena home.
His son Justin Mitchell also died.
Justin’s older brother – also called Anthony – told NBC News: “He probably could have gotten himself out but he wasn’t going to leave my brother.
“He really loved his kids.”
Rodney Kent Nickerson
Rodney, 83, also died in his Altadena home shortly after he reassured his family members that he would be fine.
His daughter Kimiko Nickerson told KCAL News: “My son tried to get him to leave, and my neighbours and myself and he said he’ll be fine, I’ll be here when you guys come back.
“And he said his house would be here.”
Victor Shaw
Victor Shaw, 66, was trying to protect his decades-old family home when he was tragically killed in the Eaton Fire.
Sister Shari Shaw, told ABC News that he died in a “heroic act” and that his body was found with a water hose still in his hand.
She said: “I can’t imagine what he might have been thinking, how he might have been so frightened.
“And I couldn’t be here, I couldn’t be here to save him. I couldn’t be here, that’s what hurts the most.”
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Another 1,000 California National Guard troops are being sent to tackle the wildfiresCredit: The Mega Agency
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More than 15,000 firefighters, highway officers and transportation teams have been supporting the firefightCredit: AP
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Kevin Marshall sifts through his mother’s fire-ravaged property in the Palisades FireCredit: AP