The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, the largest of six active wildfires in the area, shifted east on Friday night, causing new evacuation orders for much of the Brentwood neighborhood. This change in the fire’s direction is concerning because it’s moving towards a densely populated area. The fire is spreading rapidly, and officials are working hard to control it.
So far, the fires have claimed at least 11 lives and destroyed over 37,000 acres, an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades Fire alone has burned more than 21,000 acres, while the Eaton Fire has burned over 14,000 acres. Both fires are still far from being fully contained.
As the fires continue, the Pasadena Humane Society has stepped in to help animals affected by the blaze. More than 400 animals, including pets and wildlife, have been brought to the shelter for care. Many animals were found injured or orphaned, while others were surrendered by people who lost their homes. The shelter has received a lot of donations from the community, and they are asking for monetary contributions to continue helping.
Firefighters face challenging conditions as strong winds and dry weather continue. The situation is expected to remain difficult through at least Wednesday, with wind gusts potentially reaching 60 mph. Authorities are worried that these winds will spread the fire further.
The city of Los Angeles has also been dealing with leadership confusion. Reports spread that the city’s fire chief, Kristin Crowley, had been dismissed, but the mayor’s office denied this claim. Crowley had earlier spoken out about issues with the city’s water supply, which affected firefighting efforts when hydrants ran dry.
In addition to the Palisades Fire, there are several other fires in Los Angeles County, and some of them are new. As of Friday, authorities have made some progress in containing the fires, but the situation remains dangerous. Evacuation orders are still in effect, and many people have been displaced by the fires.
The fires have caused widespread destruction and continue to pose a major threat to the area. Firefighters and emergency services are doing all they can to control the flames and protect the people and animals in their path.
