APOCALYPTIC SCENES
At least 16 dead & 150k evacuated in LA wildfires as pics show celeb enclave covered in pink chemicals to slow blaze
Looters dressing as firefighters are storming residential areas in the wake of the tragedy
APOCALYPTIC wildfires have killed at least 16 people so far with raging flames roaring towards more star-studded neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Some 153,000 LA residents are now under mandatory evacuation orders as wind gusts as high as 80mph are set to hit in the next few days - making it even more difficult to contain the blazes.
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Four wildfires are currently burning around Los Angeles with two others now being described as contained.
The Palisades fire is the biggest of all and has so far burned down 22,660 acres of land destroying more than 5,316 structures.
Firefighters have only been able to contain 11 per cent of the fire, according to the LA Fire Department.
The Eaton fire has destroyed over 15,000 and 7,000 structures with 15 per cent contained.
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Kenneth and Hurst have also spread to around 1,000 acres.
Meanwhile, Lidia and Archer fires have been 100 per cent contained by the fire department.
Firefighters were seen bombarding bright pink-colored fire retardants over the Palisades Fire in a bid to stop them from spreading.
The foamy chemical - which acts as a fire blanket - is made up of salts and fertilizers which can help to slow down the spread of a fire.
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Incredible pictures show affluent neighborhoods covered with the pink chemical in what looks like an apocalyptic movie.
One picture shows a backyard with a pool covered in hues of pink after tanker planes dropper chemicals all over the area.
While others show empty streets with mailboxes and cars covered with the chemical.
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Authorities have now turned previous evacuation warnings into mandatory orders, urging people to leave the area from Sunset Boulevard north to Encino Reservoir.
High winds have caused the Palisades Fire in Southern California to spread towards the east.
LA's fire chief Kristin Crowley said last night saw a "significant flare up" in parts of the Palisades Fire tragedy.
The chief added that "we will be facing another critical weather event" due to the high winds as the flames continue to starch the region.
Affluent residents of Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood are now desperately looking for a way out as the fire approaches the area.
LA fires rip through Hollywood as 100k told leave NOW & celeb homes torched
Thousands of locals have been ordered to evacuate immediately.
The nearby Sunset Boulevard has started to overflow with escaping motorists as long queues are starting to form on the busy roads.
Brentwood is one of the poshest areas of LA - known for its large homes and celebrity residents.
Celebrities including Lebron James, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jennifer Garner have homes in the area.
Their residences are all now under threat.
American politician Robert F. Kennedy Jr also lives in Brentwood in his $6.6million home, while Vice President Kamala Harris also has a home in the area.
The Getty Centre - an iconic $1.3billion centre - is also within the evacuation zone.
The nearby Sunset Boulevard has started to overflow with escaping motorists as long queues are starting to form on the busy roads.
Meanwhile, celebs battled to get rooms at one of the most exclusive hotels in Los Angeles after fleeing the wildfires ravaging the city.
Stars including Dennis Quaid and Sarah Michelle Gellar were among those jostling for beds at the Hotel Bel-Air, where luxury rooms cost up to $18,000 a night.
Quaid, 70, and wife Laura Savoie, 34, and rocker Tommy Lee, 62, and wife Brittany Furlan, 38, were among those spotted outside the historic Hollywood favourite.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Gellar, 47, and actor husband Freddie Prinze Jr, 48, Batman actor Michael Keaton, 73, and actor and producer Rob McElhenney, 47, were among those clamouring for refuge as blazes continued to rage in nearby Pacific Palisades.
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Prevent looting
A 6pm to 6am curfew has been imposed in the worst-hit areas to prevent looting.
Looters dressing as firefighters are storming residential areas in the wake of the tragedy.
Members of the National Guard — the equivalent of the UK’s Army Reserve — have been drafted in to help enforce it.
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said 22 people had so far been arrested for curfew violations, trespassing, burglary and looting.
He said yesterday that it was unclear how the blazes began and urged the public to get in touch if they have useful information.
He added: “We are not going to leave any rock unturned if this is a criminal act . . . everything is absolutely on the table.”
Mayor Karen Bass said she condemns criminal "predators" who are using the fires to take advantage of others.
Authorities are now working alongside the FBI as investigations continue over the wildfires.
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Meanwhile, LA County officials have declared a health emergency - warning people that smoke and particulate matter from wildfires could pose immediate and long-term threats.
People have been advised not to leave their houses and wear masks if needed.
Fires and strong winds have "severely degraded air quality... posing immediate and long-term risks to public health", a statement read.
The devastating fires are set to have a costly impact on the city and its residents - with private forecaster Accuweather estimating the total damage and economic loss up to $150 billion.
Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed over 1,400 firefighters, with additional teams arriving from neighbouring states, but the battle to contain the flames is far from over.
He has also called for an independent investigation after firefighters complained about dropping water pressure in many hydrants across the city.
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Meanwhile, satellite pictures have revealed whole blocks of homes in Los Angeles have been burned to rubble by the wildfires.
The snaps show before, during, and after the uncontrolled blazes have burned through LA homes and celebrity enclaves and caused thousands to flee.
Some of those homes belong to celebrities, with Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, Miles Teller, and Anthony Hopkins among those to lose their abodes.
The wind-fuelled flames haven't spared the homes of the rich and famous with Hollywood A-listers tragically seeing their houses turned to smouldering rubble.
This includes supermodel Bella Hadid, Spencer Pratt and Oscar winner Mel Gibson.
Other celebrities like Tom Hanks, 68, and Steven Spielberg, 78, had their homes narrowly spared in the fires.
A former Aussie child actor was tragically killed in the devastating wildfires after his mum failed to save him due to water shortage.
Brit-born Rory Callum Sykes, 32, was left trapped inside a self-contained cottage in Malibu after it caught fire from flying embers.
Mum Shelley said she tried to put out the embers that landed on the roof of the 17-acre property with a hose but the water supply was turned off.
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Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance in Los Angeles to meet the victims of the devasting wildfires.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also served food and donated toys and essential supplies to the victims outside the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena.
'War zone' LA feels 'broken' as fires still ravage the city - but we will rebuild
The U.S. Sun's Assistant Editor for Exclusives Katy Forrester is an LA resident and she witnessed first-hand the horror as flames engulfed the city. She said the city feels like a "war zone
EVERY year Los Angeles braces itself for wildfires. It is not uncommon to see flames torching the hills and even houses burning to the ground.
But many residents have never witnessed anything as devastating as this week. And it’s nowhere near over.
I spent time near Pacific Palisades, where thick smoke filled the air, and saw desperate families fleeing the city while others begged police to give them access to their properties as roads were blocked off.
“Everything is gone” was heard many times, as thousands of people were left homeless and with few possessions.
I was lucky to only have the power go out in my home, but I’ll never forget what I witnessed traveling throughout the city.
It was like a war zone.
During a visit to a shelter, I spoke with a resident who has lived in his home for almost 30 years and is battling cancer. He stayed long after he was told to pack up and go.
It was only when flames began leaping around his building that he finally gathered his belongings and ran out.
I reported from Altadena, where buildings were still engulfed in flames, and few fire trucks were in sight as emergency services were overwhelmed.
Cars and school buses were completely torched, and heartbroken families stood around in shock, not being able to process what had happened.
As the sun went down, I drove back home towards the city center, which I felt was safe, until I saw orange flames leaping behind buildings just minutes from my house.
I felt sick. I’ve never known wildfires so close to Hollywood, and suddenly, phones were blaring with emergency notifications to evacuate the area.
Traffic lights and street lamps were out, and areas filled with fallen trees from the strong winds became gridlocked.
I feel extremely lucky I live minutes outside of the evacuation zone, but friends panicked and fled their homes.
Although many worldwide will merely shrug when they hear wealthy people have lost their homes, the reality is very different.
The city as a whole feels broken, everyone from single mothers to elderly people have been through hell.
And people are angry.
Dozens have spoken of their insurance policies being canceled just months before the fires, while others are reeling over alleged corruption and mismanagement.
They may be angry. But they are also hopeful. The people of Los Angeles are made of strong stuff.
We will get through this. And we will rebuild.
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