Southern California looks like an opening to hell right now, with multiple unconstrained fires raging across over 300 square kilometres.
More than 230,000 people have been forced to evacuate, as a series of Santa Ana winds have ballooned the fires and hindered firefighter efforts.
Footage taken from near the Skirball fire, which ignited around 5am local time and quickly engulfed 150 aces, is going viral on social media.
Not the typical morning commute… pic.twitter.com/kJIOQeqsIK
— Andrew Mutz CMT (@WLV_investor) December 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/Carlos_RSL/status/938441442854363136
Honestly, no.
— Jody Wilson (@gdlittledorf) December 6, 2017
This footage literally takes my breath away, in a horrific way 😣😥
— ÐλRR¥Ł 🗽🌃 (@RiverRoadFlip) December 6, 2017
This is My drive to work this. Lord “Be still”.
Praying 🙏 for ppl up in those mountains, LA County and myself this morning. FYI anyone on the #405 turn around ITS ON 🔥 #SkirballFire pic.twitter.com/F0rMsotbTa— Snackies (@CoCo_Mayo76) December 6, 2017
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection confirmed that three other fires were burning, most with 0% containment.
At least four to six homes have been destroyed in the Skirball fire, according to the LA Times, with 11 structures damaged. At least 150 structures have been damaged in the Thomas fire, and 30 structures destroyed in the Creek fire.
New SoCal fire burning along the 405 just north of #Brentwood. Fire is growing rapidly and near heavily populated areas. No word on Getty Center or Muesum which is dangerously close. pic.twitter.com/SulmbESTcw
— Bill Karins 💧 (@BillKarins) December 6, 2017
A man dashes across the deck of his mansion near LA’s Getty Center to grab a garden hose. We are monitoring the helicopter video – it looks pretty grim for him and his home. #skirballfire pic.twitter.com/KLsSpGwnjK
— Scott McGrew (@ScottMcGrew) December 6, 2017
The department is also warning people that wild animals fleeing the fires may show up in on their property, and asking people to leave out buckets of water for them.
California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency on Tuesday.
“This fire is very dangerous and spreading rapidly,” he said. “It’s critical residents stay ready and evacuate immediately if told to do so.”
Authorities are warning that the winds will likely remain strong until Friday, with the National Weather Services predicting winds could reach up to 112km/h and more “extremely critical fire weather”.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of California’s wildfires. I encourage everyone to heed the advice and orders of local and state officials. THANK YOU to all First Responders for your incredible work! https://t.co/g9y9PkB352
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2017
Celebrities are among those evacuating.
never thought I’d get to actually play what I thought was a hypothetical game of what would you grab if there were a fire. so far all I have is Luna, some limited edition Oreos and my spike tv award
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) December 6, 2017
Just evacuated my house. It’s like Donald Trump is setting the world on fire. Literally and figuratively. Stay safe everyone. Dark times.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) December 6, 2017
Thankfully, no deaths or injuries have yet been reported.
