About 30,000 residents received an emergency evacuation order tonight (Tuesday-Wednesday), as massive flames combined with a fierce wind storm destroyed homes along the coast in Los Angeles.
Huge traffic jams stretched along the famous Sunset Boulevard, as residents of the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood tried to escape the fire. The forecast is particularly worrisome: winds of up to 100 miles per hour are expected, the strongest in Southern California in a decade. They will continue until noon on Wednesday.
Currently, the fire has spread over about 12,000 dunams. Black and gray smoke rises over Pacific Palisades toward the coast and extends over the Pacific Ocean. Authorities have extended evacuation orders to areas west of the fire along the quiet coastal highway, issuing evacuation warnings for parts of the city of Calabases.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Ventura and Los Angeles counties as damage to many buildings was reported, but no injuries were reported. In addition, the local electric company cut off electricity to more than 15,000 households, and another 420,000 may be cut off in the future. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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