At least five people are believed to have been killed as a result of the devastating wildfires sweeping across Los Angeles.
Some 27,000 acres of land have now been burnt, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), with fires spreading from the Palisades to areas including the Hollywood Hills.
More than 150,000 people have been ordered to evacuate from their homes as a result of the deadly blazes – but more could be told to flee if the fires continue to spread further.
There are still 55 active wildfires, which have resulted in the destruction of homes, including some owned by Hollywood A-listers – as well as businesses and land.
When did the fires start?
The Palisades fire ignited at around 10.30am on Tuesday 7 January near North Piedra Morada Drive in the exclusive Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of LA.
Fuelled by extreme Santa Ana winds, which reached speeds of up to 80 mph, the fire rapidly escalated from a small blaze to a massive fire that engulfed over 200 acres within just a few minutes.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, but preliminary reports and unconfirmed posts on social media suggest it might have started from a small fire in a back garden. Dry conditions and high winds are thought to have enabled the blaze to spread and grow extremely quickly.
The investigation into the cause is ongoing, with authorities looking into various possibilities including negligence or accidental ignition.
The rapid spread of the fire has made efforts to tackle the blaze challenging for firefighters.
The areas affected
The wildfires have left a trail of devastation across several suburbs across LA. Pacific Palisades, where the blaze began, saw over 11,802 acres burn. To give some perspective, Manhattan in New York is just over 14,000 acres in size. Over 1,000 structures, including homes and businesses, were destroyed in the Palisades alone.
Malibu was also severely impacted, with an additional 2,000 acres scorched. The damage included the loss of several upscale homes, with evacuation orders stretching from Calabasas to the Pacific Ocean.
Approximately 500 acres have so far been burned in Brentwood, damaging numerous properties and causing widespread evacuations. Santa Monica has been less affected but still saw around 1,000 acres burned, according to CalFire.
Altadena has been hit by the Eaton Fire, which has burned over 10,600 acres. This secondary fire led to at least five fatalities and the destruction of between 200 to 500 structures. At around 27,000 acres in total affected, these fires have devastated an area comparable to the central area of London.
A closer SWIR satellite image of burning buildings in Altadena. (Maxar/Reuters)
What landmarks have been caught up in the blaze?
The wildfires, particularly the blaze in the Palisades, have directly impacted several notable landmarks in LA. Iconic sites like the Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park have seen significant damage, with historical structures like Will Rogers’ ranch house completely destroyed.
Palisades Charter High School, featured in films such as Carrie, Freaky Friday and Saved By The Bell, was also engulfed by flames, with its football field and several buildings affected.
However, some of LA’s most recognised landmarks have so far not been hit by flames or are outside the immediate danger zone.
A firefighting helicopter flies above the Hollywood sign as the sky is engulfed in dark smoke from the fires burning around the city. (Getty)
While fires have broken out in the Hollywood Hills, home to several A-list stars, the Hollywood Sign and Hollywood Boulevard have not been directly harmed by flames at this point.
Other tourist spots like the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Walk of Fame remain untouched, though the smoke from the fires has blanketed much of the city.
Why has it spread so much?
The fire has spread rapidly due to a combination of natural and climate-influenced factors. Strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts up to 80 mph, have been a primary catalyst, rapidly fanning the flames across dry vegetation.
These winds, known for their dry, warm conditions, are exacerbated by climate change, which has led to longer, more intense dry seasons in California.
On top of this, unusually strong winds are blowing off the back of a strangely shaped storm system over the lower Colorado River Valley and being amplified by what scientists call a ‘mountain wave’ event. This occurs when there are certain temperatures above a mountain range and particular winds passing over those mountains – which are adding to the Santa Ana winds and quickening the spread of the flames.
A house in on fire as residents try to escape the site in Pacific Palisades. (Getty)
The region has also experienced an exceptionally dry start to this winter, following a hot summer, which left vegetation extremely dry. This arid landscape of shrubs, palms, grasses and hardwoods is essentially acting as fuel for the fire.
California’s average temperature has warmed by roughly 1C since 1980, while the number of days with dry vegetation has doubled, according to fire management expert Lindon Pronto at the European Forest Institute.
He explained: “Eventually you have a compounding effect where you see much more extreme fire behaviour at different times of the year… whether it’s in December or January.”