LOS ANGELES – At least six wildfires are now raging in Los Angeles and its neighboring Ventura county – all but one are completely uncontained
It is utter chaos in Hollywood – streets are gridlocked and people carry whatever belongings they can under a blanket of thick smoke, the BBC reported.
The latest blaze in the Hollywood Hills is forcing more people to evacuate, including in areas dotted with celebrity homes
Five people are confirmed dead and more than 137,000 people have been evacuated in what has become the most destructive wildfire in LA’s history
Firefighters are short on water and are resorting to taking water from swimming pools and ponds.
LA Mayor Karen Bass defends her absence when the wildfires broke out – she is also facing criticism amid reports she cut $17 million from the fire department’s budget last summer.
David Acuna, a battalion chief at the Californian Fire Service, said g in the Hollywood Hills is “rapidly expanding” and progress on containing the fires “is zero”.
“The wind has been blowing consistently at 60-100mph,” Acuna says. “It actually blew harder last night,” adding wind speeds have now dropped to about 30 mph (48kmh). But “it is still significant and because there are a lot of open areas it is extremely dangerous.”
Acuna insists the priority of the first responders is to save people, adding that more evacuation warnings and orders are being drawn up. (BBC)
