At least 5 dead in wildfires ravaging luxury enclaves of Los Angeles

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More than 100,000 Southern California residents were ordered to evacuate and five people were confirmed dead as wildfires raged out of control across the Los Angeles region for a second day.

The fires spread into the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, forcing evacuations from densely populated hillside neighborhoods overlooking iconic attractions, including the Hollywood Bowl and the Walk of Fame.

The fire in Hollywood has put additional pressure on firefighters struggling to contain multiple blazes it’s on fire across the city and its suburbs as one began Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the US.

Insurers are bracing for what is expected to be one of the costliest natural disasters in California history.

Strong winds fanned the flames to at least four different locations across more than 25,000 acres, sending dark clouds of acrid smoke and ash across the city. Wind gusts ranged from 50 to 80 miles per hour across the region, the National Weather Service said, frustrating efforts to contain the fire.

Air quality in much of Los Angeles was rated “very unhealthy,” and parts of the city far from the fire smelled strongly of smoke. At a news conference on Wednesday, authorities admitted they were struggling to keep up with the fast-moving events.

Little was known about how the fires started, but the windy conditions that allowed them to spread are expected to persist. Low humidity and dry conditions are expected to continue in Los Angeles and Ventura counties through at least Friday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, allowing the deployment of the National Guard. President Joe Biden on Wednesday released federal funds to pay for temporary housing, home repairs and loans to cover uninsured property losses. Los Angeles County said schools will be closed Thursday.

Destruction began Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, home to high-profile Hollywood stars including comedian Billy Crystal and Paris Hilton, whose homes were among more than 1,000 buildings destroyed.

The fire quickly spread north to Malibu and threatened buildings in Santa Monica to the south, while embers carried by strong gusts engulfed entire streets. That fire has since spread to more than 15,800 hectares.

Areas north and east of Los Angeles also burned, including the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, Altadena and Pasadena.

Efforts to contain the fires were hampered on Wednesday as so-called super planes, which collect water from the ocean, were grounded by strong winds. By evening, however, helicopters were dropping water on the Hollywood fire.

Pacific Palisades residents, some of whom fled on foot Tuesday, called friends and family to find out whose homes were still standing. Many who evacuated to nearby Santa Monica were told they had to move again as the flames followed.

“This is a tragic time in our history here in Los Angeles,” said Jim McDonnell, Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. “It’s critical that we stay patient, come together and stay focused on saving lives.”

The fires stopped work in Hollywood and forced the postponement of screenings and celebrations before the Oscars. Warner Bros suspended production at its Burbank lot due to the fire, and Paramount postponed the premiere of its new film, A better man. Universal canceled a party hosted by Donna Langley, president of NBCUniversal Studios & Entertainment, on Friday.

Early predictions of financial devastation have begun to materialize, with AccuWeather estimating that the total damage and economic loss could be as high as $57 billion.

In the Palisades area, home prices average around $3.5 million, meaning the neighborhood could face billions of dollars in lawsuits.