FIREFIGHTERS are still trying to contain the Palisades Fire in California, which began Tuesday morning. The fires have burned 20,400 acres as of this day.
This is just one of the many fires burning across Southern California, destroying hundreds of homes. The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office declares that at least 11 people have been killed in the fires.
The Palisades Fire is the biggest one so far, with over 20,000 acres burned, only 8% of which is contained. The National Weather Service says the flames are rapidly being spread by high winds and dry conditions in the area.
Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire, which is located at the city of Altadena, about 40 minutes from Pacific Palisades, is only 3% contained. 14,000 acres of national forest lands have been up in flames since Tuesday. California Fire says more than 5,000 structures are likely damaged in the blaze.
There are four other, smaller fires going on: The Hurst Fire in Sylmar, the Lidia Fire by the San Gabriel Mountains, the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills and Calabasas, and the Archer Fire in Granada Hills. These ones are about 35 to 75 percent contained now.
More than 15,000 residents from the affected cities are under evacuation orders, and 180,000 people have been forced from their homes since Tuesday.
The fires have devastated an estimated $20 billion worth of homes and properties.
Amber alerts remain in effect across parts of Los Angeles County.
