Los Angeles is witnessing scenes straight out of an apocalypse as wildfires rip through the city’s suburbs.
The first fire, which has engulfed the coastal Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, continues to blaze, while a second wildfire rages in the inland foothills of LA’s northeast, having started last night. The Los Angeles Fire Department has called for off-duty firefighters to assist in battling the flames, which are being fuelled by winds reaching speeds of over 60 mph (97 kph) in some areas.
Strong winds have made it impossible for firefighting aircraft to operate, hindering efforts to control the fires. The Pacific Palisades fire has ravaged a hillside in Los Angeles, home to many celebrities, causing significant damage to properties and leading to evacuation orders. In the rush to escape, roads became congested, forcing many people to abandon their vehicles and flee on foot, some carrying suitcases.
The gridlock on Palisades Drive obstructed emergency vehicles, necessitating the use of a bulldozer to move the abandoned cars and clear a path, as reported by the LA Fire Department.
While officials have not provided a precise count of the structures damaged or destroyed by the Pacific Palisades wildfire, they have confirmed that around 30,000 residents have been evacuated and more than 13,000 structures are at risk.
The Daily Star has brought together a selection of images of some of the devastating scenes in the US so far.