Culture

Los Angeles Has Declared A State Of Emergency As A Wildfire Threatens Bel Air, UCLA, And The Getty Center

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This week, multiple massive Southern California wildfires, which are said to be spreading even faster than October’s blazes to the north, are raging while fueled by the Santa Ana winds. Already, the Thomas Fire (seen above, which tore through an area twice the size of Manhattan in less than 24 hours) has brought devastation to Ventura and Santa Barbara counties while destroying at least 180 structures. That fire is still said to be 0% contained, which is about as bleak as a new inferno that’s causing major problems near Los Angeles’ Getty Center and threatening to spread to UCLA.

The Skirball fire, which has shut down the heavily trafficked 405 freeway in both directions near the Getty Center in Brentwood, has prompted Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to declare a state of emergency and order evacuations for approximately 150,000 residents. And it’s no wonder that’s the case with insane video footage showing an apocalyptic scene during morning commutes. This surreal clip shows an area near Mulholland Drive on fire next to the 405.

Thus far, the fire has burned homes in Bel Air with CNN noting that 150 acres have been consumed with that area expected to increase as firefighters struggle to achieve any degree of containment. The LA TImes has more news on evacuation specifics:

Authorities have ordered the evacuation of all homes between Mulholland Drive on the north, Sunset Boulevard on the south, Roscomare Road on the east and the 405 Freeway on the west. Earlier in the morning they ordered evacuations along Casiano Road, Moraga Drive and Linda Flora Drive. Residents of Mandeville Canyon and Sullivan Canyon should be prepared for evacuation, the department said.

This video looks like a scene from a movie where Dwayne Johnson gets called in to save the world, and LA could use a little bit of The Rock right now.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Fire, which has swallowed up at least 65,000 acres, is expected to burn for days. This CNN Weather video shows the blaze as viewed through nighttime satellite imagery.

(Via LA Times & CNN)