A wildfire has become the most destructive fire in Los Angeles’ history, with over 20 square miles destroyed in just under 48 hours. The fire began on Tuesday morning when a small plume of smoke was seen rising in a backyard on the outskirts of the city. At first, it seemed harmless, but within minutes, the smoke turned into a massive cloud, and the flames quickly spread through dry shrubbery.
Within hours, Los Angeles was on fire. The Palisades fire, the largest of the many fires, has already consumed nearly 12,000 acres. Over 2,000 homes have been destroyed, and the fire has caused damage estimated at more than $48 billion. It’s one of the worst fires in the city’s history, fueled by a combination of dry conditions, strong winds, and overgrown vegetation.
Fire experts explain that this fire was set in motion by a mix of factors. Heavy rains from previous years caused plants to grow, and now, with drought conditions, that vegetation has dried out, becoming a fire hazard. The Santa Ana winds, which are warm, gusty winds from the desert, helped spread the fire quickly. They can blow at speeds of up to 90mph, turning the flames into an uncontrollable force.
As the fire raged on, many celebrities in the area lost their homes. Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, and James Woods are just a few of the stars affected. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate as the fire spread through neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades and Studio City.
The fire’s spread has exposed infrastructure issues, with reports that fire hydrants were dry during the crisis, limiting firefighting efforts. As of now, more than 130,000 people are still under evacuation orders, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Authorities continue to work hard, but with high winds and dry conditions, the danger isn’t over. Over 1,500 firefighters are on the front lines, assisted by the California National Guard.
