Washington DC:
Recent wildfires have reduced Los Angeles, America’s second-largest city and home to the country’s rich and famous, to rubble. Aerial images show clusters of gray-brown volcanic ash, leaving only the skeletons of homes, restaurants and shops in this once-thriving area.
Two fires that broke out on Jan. 7 destroyed an area near Washington, D.C., according to Cal Fire. The fire was one of Southern California’s most destructive natural disasters, killing at least 28 people and damaging or destroying about 16,000 structures.
(Source: Reuters)
While the horrific destruction in the upscale Pacific Palisades and Malibu to the west grabbed most of the headlines, Altadena to the east suffered even more damage.
Images of the fire-affected area taken from a helicopter show several stone chimneys and defiantly towering trees in Altadena, the city that bore the brunt of the Easton fire.
(Source: Reuters)
Several backyard pools, burnt out cars and the twisted metal of a home were also visible from the air.
(Source: Reuters)
To the west, the Palisades Fire left scars on the hillsides, and this upscale enclave offered postcard-perfect views of the Pacific Ocean.
(Source: AFP News)
Fires sparked by extreme fall drought and Santa Ana’s fierce winds have inflamed the arid hills of Los Angeles, unleashing an unrelenting inferno for more than a week. As of Wednesday, the Eaton Fire was 91% contained, while the Palisades Fire was only 68% contained, Reuters reported.
But while firefighters were busy putting out the last two infernos, a new fire broke out at Hughes north of Los Angeles, sending plumes of smoke into the air. The new fire quickly spread to 9,400 acres (38 square kilometers) and forced evacuation orders were issued for more than 31,000 people on Wednesday.
It was not immediately clear what started the fire, but it occurred under red flag fire conditions. Meteorologists say strong winds and low humidity are creating conditions suitable for rapid fire spread.
