The biggest wildfire razing Los Angeles this week changed direction Saturday, forcing new evacuations and further complicating matters for weary firefighters.
Six fires have burned in Los Angeles County since Tuesday, killing at least 11 and destroying or damaging 10,000 structures. The death toll is expected to rise as fire crews make their way house by house.
While the intense Santa Ana winds driving the fires diminished Friday night, the Palisades Fire-sweeping in off the western flank of the city-veered course, endangering Brentwood and foothill areas of the San Fernando Valley. A flare-up was reported in the east flank of the fire, according to Los Angeles Times.
Dubbed the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history, the Palisades Fire has reduced entire neighbourhoods to ashes, leaving behind only the smouldering remnants of homes and belongings.
Before the latest flare-up, firefighters had managed to contain parts of the Palisades and Eaton Fires. Containment stood at 8% for the Palisades Fire and 3% for the Eaton Fire by Friday night, Cal Fire reported. Combined, the two fires have burned 35,000 acres, equivalent to 54 square miles, or two and a half times the size of Manhattan.
Now, 153,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders; another 166,800 receive warnings. There is a curfew for all evacuation areas, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
Seven border states, the federal government, and Canada are pitching in resources from aerial water drops to ground crews to assist California.
Improving conditions are forecast for the weekend by the National Weather Service, with winds expected to drop to 20 mph. Critical fire weather conditions remain in place with low humidity and dry fuels, though Cal Fire said it may be getting strong winds again Tuesday.
Public health officials have declared a health emergency due to the thick, toxic smoke permeating the region.
