Fires in LA rage out of control, death toll expected to rise, say officials

“It is safe to say that the Palisades Fire is one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles,” Crowley said.

Firefighters, assisted by helicopters dropping retardants and water, managed to make gains overnight in battling the Sunset Fire, which had forced mandatory evacuations in Hollywood and Hollywood Hills late on Wednesday.

The fire was in retreat and firefighters were making forward progress, Crowley said. No buildings were lost in the area and the evacuation order was lifted, a city fire department spokeswoman said.

It was one of at least five wildfires burning in Los Angeles County on Thursday morning as powerful winds spread flames across parched ground that hasn’t seen rain for months. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described it as a “perfect storm” of dangerous conditions.

The two biggest conflagrations – the Palisades and Eaton fires – formed a pincer around the city so enormous that it was visible from space.

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The homes of movie stars and celebrities were among those consumed by flames, which tore through some of the world’s most lavish real estate.

“We are heartbroken, of course, but with the love of children and friends we will get through this,” said film star Billy Crystal and his wife Janice, announcing the Pacific Palisades home where they had lived since 1979 had been destroyed.

Media personality Paris Hilton said she was “heartbroken beyond words” after watching her Malibu beachfront “burn to the ground on live TV.”

The National Weather Service extended red flag warnings – issued when the risk for fire is high due to low humidity, high winds and warm temperatures – for Los Angeles and Ventura counties to Friday (Saturday AEDT).

Some fire hydrants ran dry in Pacific Palisades, which is wedged between Malibu and Santa Monica, officials said on Wednesday.

US President Joe Biden was briefed on Thursday morning and will meet with top administration officials in the afternoon to discuss the federal response to the fires, the White House told reporters.

Some residents returned to areas the fire had already swept through, where brick chimneys were left looming over charred waste and burnt-out vehicles. The remnants of a tattered and scorched American flag flapped from a pole.

“I had just come from my family home where my mother lives that was burned to a crisp … And then I came up to my home and – same thing. It’s completely dust,” said Oliver Allnatt, 36, wearing ski goggles and a filtered face mask as he took pictures of the ruins.

“Basically, just a chimney stack and a pile of ash. I mean, it’s something out of a movie.”

Thousands of Angelenos fleeing the flames sought refuge in temporary shelters. Foad Farid found refuge in the Westwood Recreation Centre’s gym – he was left with only his car and phone. Neighbours dropped off blankets, clothing, water, pizza and pet food.

Jeff Harris arrived towing his Feisty Fish Poke food truck and began serving meals. “I’m just here to help,” he said.

At a Pasadena evacuation centre, Kevin Williams said he knew it was time to run when gas canisters at his neighbours’ homes began exploding under the heat.

“The wind whipped up, the flames were up about 30 or 40 feet high, and you hear ‘pop, pop, pop’. It sounded like a war zone,” he said.

Aerial video by KTLA television showed block after block of smouldering homes in Pacific Palisades, the smoky grid occasionally punctuated by the orange blaze of another home still on fire.

The scale and spread of the blazes stretched exhausted firefighting crews beyond their capacity.

Firefighters from six other US states were being rushed to California, while an additional 250 engine companies with 1000 personnel were being transferred from Northern California to Southern California.

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The fires struck at an especially vulnerable time for the region, which has not seen significant rainfall for months. Then came the powerful Santa Ana winds, bringing dry desert air from the east toward the coastal mountains, fanning wildfires while blowing over the hilltops and down through the canyons.

Officials said at least 20 people had been arrested for looting.

Reuters and AP

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