On Tuesday morning, live webcams captured a backyard spark rapidly turning into a massive wildfire. Within minutes, grey smoke became thick clouds, and flames consumed dry vegetation.
“This wildfire is spreading faster than anything we’ve ever seen,” said LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley.
Currently, five active fires rage in Los Angeles, with the Palisades wildfire destroying thousands of homes and structures. Around 179,783 residents are under evacuation orders, and another 200,000 are on evacuation warning. So far, five lives have been lost, and dozens are injured.
Experts attribute the disaster to extreme weather, climate change, and last year’s El Niño rains, which spurred vegetation growth that later dried out, becoming highly flammable. Santa Ana winds have further fueled the blaze.
Sadly, predictions of a fire sweeping through LA to the ocean have come true, with no relief in sight.