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January 11, 2024

Anna Murray 

Tropical storm-force winds have been fanning a horrific and fatal fire in Southern California since January 7. As numerous out-of-control wildfires consume everything in their path, authorities have ordered the evacuation of more than 200,000 people. 

Hundreds of homes have been leveled by the relentless Palisades Fire. More than 30,000 people have been evacuated as the Palisades fire has grown to over 2,900 acres. 

Near Pasadena and Altadena, the Eaton Fire has killed five people. In the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles County, a smaller fire broke out along Sunset Boulevard. 

No proper assessment of the devastation has been made by state authorities. The number of casualties is expected to increase in the days and weeks to come. The worst windstorm to hit the region in almost a decade is now causing wildfires to break out in Southern California.