Pacific Palisades Fire: Most Destructive Wildfire in LA History

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• Pacific Palisades Fire is the most destructive wildfire in LA County's history
• At least 1,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed
• The fire has been fueled by California's seasonal Santa Ana winds
• The Woolsey Fire in 2018 was previously the most destructive fire in LA County history
• The Pacific Palisades Fire is one of just two fires in LA County history to destroy 1,000 or more buildings

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Multiple wildfires break out in Los Angeles area

• Three separate wildfires have broken out in the Los Angeles area, including the Hurst Fire, the Lidia Fire, and the Sunset Fire.
• The Hurst Fire has already covered 671 acres and is only 10% contained, while the Lidia Fire has burned 348 acres and is 60% contained.
• The Sunset Fire, which burned near Hollywood landmarks, has been fully contained and evacuation orders in the area have been lifted.

Source

Forbes

Factors contributing to the extreme fire conditions in Los Angeles

• The appearance of weather conditions suggestive of La Niña, a climate phenomenon linked to drier conditions and drought in southern parts of the U.S., likely played a large part in priming southern California for extreme fire conditions this week.
• The dry conditions paired with historically strong winds gave way to this week’s fires. Wind gusts of up to 99 mph were reported near Altadena and other nearby areas early Wednesday.
• The Santa Ana winds or “devil winds,” which are often fast-moving, dry and warm winds that originate inland, around Nevada and Utah, and blow toward the coastal regions of Southern California, contributed to the rapid spread of the fires.

Source

Forbes

Impact on Flights and Extreme Fire Weather Alert

• Los Angeles International Airport has not experienced significant flight cancellations, but some flights were disrupted at the smaller Hollywood Burbank Airport.
• The National Weather Service issued an extreme fire weather alert for a 2,356-square mile stretch of land that includes areas such as Glendale, Oxnard, Santa Clarita, Thousand Oaks, and Pasadena.
• The alert is the highest designation for fire potential and was in effect from Wednesday to Thursday.

Source

Forbes

The History of Wildfires in LA County

• The Wright Fire in 1970 burned more than 30,000 acres and destroyed 403 structures, making it the third-deadliest wildfire in LA County history.
• The Topanga Fire, also known as the Trippet Ranch fire, is the current fifth-most destructive fire in LA County history, allegedly started by a caretaker who discarded a pile of ash near brush containing hot coal embers.
• The Pacific Palisades Fire in 2019 has become the most destructive wildfire in LA County history, destroying at least 1,000 homes and businesses and prompting the city to revamp its fire laws and safety codes.

Source

New York Post

Celebrity homes destroyed by the Pacific Palisades Fire

• Palisades High School, featured in popular movies, was destroyed by the fire
• Ben Affleck's $20.5 million home was among the celebrity homes destroyed
• Actors Adam Brody and Leighton Meester's $6.5 million home was also destroyed beyond repair

Source

New York Post

Mandy Moore shares her experience of the Pacific Palisades Fire

• Mandy Moore's children's school in Altadena was destroyed by the fire
• Moore and her family were evacuated from their home and are grateful for friends who took them in
• Moore shared her experience on Instagram, thanking those who helped her family

Source

New York Post

The Devastating Impact of the Pacific Palisades Fire in Los Angeles

• Residents were forced to flee their homes, leaving behind everything they owned, as the fire destroyed at least 1,000 homes and businesses in the Pacific Palisades area.
• The fire was fueled by the seasonal Santa Ana winds, which made it difficult for firefighters to contain the blaze, leaving many homes and businesses to burn uncontrollably.
• Despite the heroic efforts of many residents and firefighters, the fire continued to rage on, leaving many neighborhoods looking like war zones and causing widespread destruction throughout the area.

Source

New York Post

The Pacific Palisades Fire and its impact

• The Pacific Palisades Fire has become the most destructive wildfire in LA County's history, destroying at least 1,000 homes and businesses and engulfing nearly 12,000 acres.
• Residents who evacuated found themselves trapped in gridlock for hours as roads were choked with people fleeing.
• Smoke from wildfires is a complicated mix of pollutants that can cause health problems for people who breathe it in, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Source

usatoday.com

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