Photos show homes and infrastructure in the affluent Californian neighborhood of Pacific Palisades have been destroyed as wildfires rage through Los Angeles' suburbs.
The Palisades Fire, which erupted on Tuesday, rapidly spread and covered more than 2,900 acres in just 13 hours. Later, the Eaton Fire near Altadena and the Hurst Fire in Sylmar also broke out. More than 30,000 people have been evacuated amid an ongoing state of emergency.
Journalist Amrita Khalid, who evacuated her home in the coastal city of Santa Monica located about 15 minutes from Pacific Palisades, told the BBC the area "looks like Mars, it looks bright red."
"I can't stress to you how normal this morning was in Santa Monica," she said. "It just seemed like another nice winter morning. But then, I was walking home from the gym and I just noticed big black billowing clouds of smoke."
Eliza Leonchenko who was visiting a friend in Santa Monica told NBC News: "If people are not feeling the fire and are just seeing it, they might think it's not getting closer and not getting more dangerous. During the day we were like 'Oh my god, it's so far', but then suddenly it was so close. I've never seen something like this movie. This is like a horror movie."
On Tuesday, the Eaton Fire already rapidly scorched 400 acres in the hills above Altadena and evacuation orders were called for parts of Altadena and Pasadena, while the Hurst Fire charred 100 acres of land near the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, according to fire officials.
The Eaton Fire has now spread to 1,000 acres as of Wednesday morning.
The fires have been fueled by some of the strongest Santa Ana winds in recent memory, with gusts up to 100 mph in higher elevations, alongside dry, low-humidity conditions across Southern California.
The National Weather Service warned on Monday there would be a "life-threatening and destructive windstorm" in Southern California for Tuesday through Wednesday, adding that there would be a high risk for dangerous fire weather conditions.
On Tuesday, as a state of emergency was declared, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said, "To the thousands of families impacted by this horrific fire – the City of Los Angeles is providing resources and shelter as this emergency continues."
"To the hundreds of brave firefighters and first responders who have been responding all day to this blaze – we thank you. The City is working aggressively to confront this emergency," she added.
Residents in the city of Malibu have also been urged to prepare for possible evacuation. "The city of Malibu urges all residents not currently under evacuation orders to be prepared to evacuate," the city government said.
More than 1,400 firefighters have been deployed across the region to tackle the spread of the fire, California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X.
Celebrities React to Palisades Fire
Police Academy actor Steve Guttenberg has been seen helping move cars left on Palisades Drive to make room for incoming fire trucks.
He told local news outlet KTLA5, "What's happening is people take their keys with them as if they're in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars."
"If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there," he added.
Dancing With The Stars dancer Julianne Hough lives in Hollywood Hills and shared footage on her Instagram Story from her backyard, showing an airplane used to fight forest fires, flying through the smoke. "Praying for everyone that had to evacuate and for the first responders and firefighters," she wrote.
Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt also posted on Instagram to praise the work of the firefighters.
He wrote, "Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires. Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate."
"Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage," he added.
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