Aerial footage of the Pacific Palisades wildfire that was captured from an airplane and showcases the scale of the blaze has gone viral on social media.
Newsweek contacted the Los Angeles Fire Department for information about the blaze via phone on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
The wildfire, which began Tuesday morning, has expanded rapidly to over 2,900 acres as of Tuesday night, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
High winds and dry conditions have fueled the flames, and 30,000 residents of the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades have been told to evacuate immediately.
What To Know
On Tuesday night, the account @BreakingNews4X on X, formerly Twitter, posted footage of the blaze engulfing Los Angeles that had been recorded by an airplane passenger.
Sports announcer Dan Hellie posted an aerial image of the blaze on X, writing: "View from the sky above LA. Pacific Palisades and Malibu engulfed in flames. Absolutely Horrific."
User @bluebear731, whose profile location said Santa Monica, posted another aerial image of the blaze on X, writing, "#PalisadesFire from a flight arriving into LAX."
The Los Angeles Fire Department has warned of a "near worst-case scenario" as Santa Ana winds drive the fire's rapid growth.
Captain Sheila Kelliher said on Tuesday that firefighters were "in for a fight tonight" while battling the blaze, and California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, highlighting the fire's destructive potential.
The Palisades Fire is one of two major blazes in Los Angeles County. The other, the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, has grown to 1,000 acres, according to the latest Cal Fire update. Together, the fires have left several people with burn wounds, destroyed homes and threatened infrastructure.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning through Wednesday evening, adding to the difficulty of containing the blaze.
What People Are Saying
President Joe Biden said in a statement issued by the White House on Tuesday: "I urge the residents of the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles to stay vigilant and listen to local officials."
Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X: "I've proclaimed a state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the #PalisadesFire. Southern California residents: stay vigilant, take all necessary precautions, and follow local emergency guidance."
Fox 11 Los Angeles Reporter Matthew Seedorff wrote on X: "This fire is out of control and ripping through Pacific Palisades, CA. At least 20 homes destroyed from what I've seen, but maybe more."
What Happens Next
Firefighters continue to battle the blaze under challenging conditions, prioritizing the evacuation of residents and containment efforts. The high wind warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
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