Fresh fears as LA wildfires spread to celebrity neighbourhoods
The devastating Los Angeles wildfires have already claimed the lives of at least 11 people, forced 180,000 people from their homes since and destroyed more than 10,000 structures and also affected top celebrities as well.
But as helicopters and firefighters battle in vain to control the largest of the six, the Palisades Fire, which is currently ravaging parts of the county, flames have begun encroaching on the posh neighbourhoods of Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood.
As of Friday night, the flames had destroyed 21,317 acres and were just eight per cent contained.
In what has become LA’s worst fires in 20 years, the official death toll rose to 11 on Friday night, five of which are due to the Palisades fire and the rest as a result of the Eaton fire, which is currently burning in the Pasadena area.
Cadaver dogs are being deployed to comb through the many decimated neighbourhoods, with officials warning the death toll is likely to rise.
The Palisades fire is now moving east towards Brentwood, another of LA’s wealthiest neighbourhoods and home to numerous celebrities.
Among the big names with homes in the Brentwood area include actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gwyneth Paltrow, NBA star LeBron James and Disney chief executive Bob Iger. OJ Simpson also once owned a property there.
Mandatory evacuation orders were extended into the suburb late on Friday night (January 10), including the Getty Centre, a museum full of priceless art.
Overall, more than 150,000 people remain under evacuation orders.
A petition demanding the “immediate” resignation of LA Mayor, Karen Bass, has now received over 53,000 signatures in the space of three days.
Bass is among those being criticised for their handling of the wildfires, including why LA and Californian officials failed to prepare for the disaster when they had prior warning of the encroaching strong winds – which can easily exceed 60mph.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Bass have also been attacked over issues including empty fire hydrants and reservoirs and a lack of firefighters.
