Apocalyptic Los Angeles wildfires ravage thousands of homes, celebrity mansions reduced to ashes

Thousands of homes and structures have been destroyed and the fire is being recognised as one of the most devastating in California’s history.

Entire communities have been uprooted as evacuation orders spread along the Pacific Coast Highway, affecting both upscale residences and cherished landmarks perched above the ocean.

The Eaton Fire, which burnt over 13,000 acres in the San Gabriel Mountains, is still raging. The blaze, along with the Palisades Fire, has claimed at least seven lives — five in Eaton and two in Palisades. Thousands of residents are now displaced, with more evacuations expected as the fires edge closer to populated areas.

History reduced to cinders

Among the most painful losses are beloved local institutions that have shaped the area’s history and culture. Palisades Charter High School, the alma mater of many celebrities and the filming location for Modern Family, has suffered heavy damage, though the main building has survived.

Founded in 1961, the school serves about 3,000 students and its destruction lends a tragic blow to the community.

The Will Rogers State Historic Park, once home to the iconic actor’s ranch house, has been completely destroyed. The ranch, dating back to the 1920s, sat on 186 acres with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

Rogers, a Hollywood legend, practiced his roping and horseback riding on the property and it was preserved as a state park after his death in 1935. Its loss is a blow to both local heritage and the Hollywood community.

The Topanga Ranch Motel, a well-known filming location, was also lost to the flames. Featured in countless films over the decades, the motel’s destruction is a blow to Hollywood that these fires have caused.

Drought, record heat — the making of the tempest

The combination of extreme drought, record-high temperatures and powerful Santa Ana winds created perfect conditions for wildfires.

Gusts of up to 100 mph have rapidly spread flames across vast areas, leaving firefighting crews struggling to contain the blazes. Dry vegetation, power lines whipped by the winds, and record-high heat have all contributed to the fires’ swift, unpredictable spread.

In a matter of hours, entire neighbourhoods and landmarks were reduced to ashes.

“If you’re told to evacuate, get the hell out”

As the fires advance, authorities are issuing increasingly urgent calls for evacuations. Senator Adam Schiff, addressing residents, issued a stark warning, “If you’re told to evacuate, get the hell out.”

"You can rebuild, but you cannot replace your life,” Schiff said, urging residents to heed evacuation orders without hesitation. The fires are moving faster than ever before, and those who stay behind face grave risks.

Jailed firefighters lend a hand 

In response to the devastation, President Joe Biden has approved a federal disaster declaration for Los Angeles County, ensuring that the federal government will cover 100 percent of firefighting costs for the next 180 days.

Nearly 800 incarcerated firefighters have been dispatched to help combat the blazes, adding vital resources to the exhausted local fire departments.

The  California department of corrections and rehabilitation said on January 9 that it had deployed 783 imprisoned firefighters, the Guardian reported.

Despite these reinforcements, resources remain thin and the situation dire.To protect evacuated areas, law enforcement officials are preparing to implement curfews, though the details of enforcement remain unclear. Their focus is on ensuring that the evacuated zones are safe and secure.

(With agency inputs)