Thousands homeless as wildfires ravage Los Angeles suburbs

Thousands of residents fled their homes near Los Angeles on Wednesday as three raging wildfires, driven by hurricane-force winds, tore through the city’s suburbs, destroying dozens of houses and threatening lives.

One firefighter was reported injured near the upscale Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, where vicious gusts fanned flames, hurling embers hundreds of meters and sparking uncontrollable spot fires. Several residents also suffered burns, according to media reports.

By dawn, a thick pall of smoke blanketed Los Angeles, with the acrid smell of fire filling the air. City Mayor Karen Bass warned on X (formerly Twitter) that the “windstorm is expected to worsen through the morning,” complicating firefighting efforts.

The Pacific Palisades fire has consumed nearly 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares), destroying dozens of multi-million-dollar homes in one of California’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Emmy-winning actor James Woods shared a video showing flames nearing his property, describing the loss of his home as “like losing a loved one.”

Meanwhile, the 2,200-acre Eaton fire in Altadena forced emergency workers to evacuate elderly patients in wheelchairs from a care facility. A third fire continued to spread near Santa Clarita, adding to the crisis.

Firefighters faced water shortages at hydrants in some areas, the Los Angeles Times reported, as winds hampered efforts to contain the blazes. Authorities urged residents in affected zones to evacuate immediately as the fires continued to grow unchecked.