Intense wildfires continue to devastate the greater Los Angeles area, leaving at least five people dead and forcing nearly 180,000 residents to evacuate their homes. The full death toll remains unclear as authorities work to assess the situation.
Currently, at least five fires are burning across more than 45 square miles, fueled by dry conditions and powerful winds, resulting in destruction in areas not typically prone to wildfires.
The Palisades Fire, which has burned over 17,234 acres (around 27 square miles), is the most destructive, having destroyed more than 1,000 structures. It remains completely uncontained, making it the largest fire in Los Angeles history.
The Sunset Fire, which began last night in the Hollywood Hills and posed a threat to major landmarks, has since been fully contained.
By early today, more than 350,000 residents were without power, including 200,000 in Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the U.S.
Though the intense Santa Ana winds have calmed somewhat over the past two days, wind gusts are still expected to reach 40-50 mph today, with even stronger gusts of 50-70 mph anticipated tonight and into tomorrow morning.
