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More than 100,000 Southern California residents were ordered to evacuate and five people were confirmed dead as wildfires burned out of control across the Los Angeles area for a second day.
The fires spread to the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, forcing evacuations from densely populated hillside neighborhoods overlooking popular attractions including the Hollywood Bowl and the Walk of Fame.
The Hollywood fire added to the pressure on firefighters who were struggling to contain several blazes Fires Throughout the city and its suburbs since it began Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the United States.
Insurance companies are bracing for what is expected to be one of the costliest natural disasters in California history.
Strong winds fanned the flames in at least four different locations across more than 25,000 acres, sending dark plumes of acrid smoke and ash across the city. Wind speeds ranged from 50 to 80 mph across the area, frustrating efforts to contain the fire, the National Weather Service said.
The air quality in much of Los Angeles was deemed “extremely unhealthy,” with parts of the city far from the fires smelling strongly of smoke. At a press conference on Wednesday, authorities admitted they were struggling to catch up with the rapidly unfolding events.
Little is known about how the fires started, but the stormy conditions that allowed them to spread are expected to continue. Low humidity and dry conditions are expected to continue in Los Angeles and Ventura counties through at least Friday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, enabling the deployment of the National Guard. President Joe Biden on Wednesday released federal funds to pay for temporary housing, home repairs and loans to cover uninsured property losses. Los Angeles County said schools will close on Thursday.
The devastation began Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, home to major Hollywood stars including comedian Billy Crystal and Paris Hilton, whose homes were among more than 1,000 structures destroyed.
The fire quickly spread north to Malibu and threatened buildings in Santa Monica to the south, where embers carried by severe storms engulfed entire streets. This fire has since spread to more than 15,800 acres.
Fires were also burning in areas north and east of Los Angeles, including the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, Altadena and Pasadena.
Efforts to contain the fires were hampered on Wednesday because so-called high-speed planes, which pick up water from the ocean, stopped operating due to strong winds. But by evening, helicopters were dropping water on the Hollywood Fire.
Pacific Palisades residents, some of whom fled on foot Tuesday, are calling their friends and family to find out whose homes are still standing. Many evacuees to nearby Santa Monica were told they needed to move again as the fire raged.
“This is a tragic time in our history here in Los Angeles,” said Jim McDonnell, Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. “It is important that we be patient, stand together and stay focused on saving lives.”
The fires halted work in Hollywood and forced the postponement of shows and celebrations leading up to the Oscars. Warner Bros. has halted production at its Burbank arena due to the fires, and Paramount has postponed the premiere of its new film, A better man. Universal canceled a party on Friday hosted by Donna Langley, president of NBCUniversal Studios & Entertainment.
Early predictions of financial devastation are beginning to emerge, with AccuWeather estimating total damage and economic losses of up to $57 billion.
In the Palisades area, median home prices are around $3.5 million, meaning billions of dollars in claims could be made for this neighborhood.
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