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At least two people were killed as a trio of fast-growing wildfires raged out of control on Wednesday near Los Angeles, destroying hundreds of buildings, scorching hillsides and prompting officials to order some 70,000 people to evacuate their homes.
At least two people were killed as a trio of fast-growing wildfires raged out of control on Wednesday near Los Angeles, destroying hundreds of buildings, scorching hillsides and prompting officials to order some 70,000 people to evacuate their homes.Fierce winds were hindering firefighting efforts and fueling the fires, which have expanded unimpeded since they began on Tuesday.
The biggest blaze had consumed more than 5,000 acres in the picturesque Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which lies east of Los Angeles between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu.
More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a news conference on Wednesday.
Another fire, the Eaton fire, had grown to more than 2,000 acres as it burned some 30 miles (50km) inland in Altadena, near Pasadena.
Two fatalities were reported there, though officials said they did not have further details.
All three fires were 0% contained, officials said.
A “high number” of significant injuries had occurred among residents who did not need evacuation orders, Marrone said.
Officials warned that the gusty winds were forecast to persist throughout the day.
