KTLA 5, by Tony Kurzweil and Marc Sternfield: The worst-case scenario has been realized in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, where an estimated 1,000 structures, many of them homes, have been destroyed by a Santa Ana-wind-fueled wildfire, authorities confirmed on Wednesday morning.
The Palisades Fire was first reported around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive. By Wednesday morning, the fire had exploded to more than 5,000 acres with no containment.
At a news conference Wednesday morning, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone revealed an estimated 1,000 structures had been lost. There was also a “high number of people who didn’t evacuate” who suffered serious injuries, he said.
Daylight brought the extent of the devastation into clear focus as entire neighborhoods and commercial centers were leveled in this affluent coastal community.
Evacuations were ordered for the entire Pacific Palisades area down to the Pacific Ocean. The evacuations, which also included warnings for Santa Monica and Calabasas areas, impacted tens of thousands of homes and businesses.
An evacuation shelter for people and pets was established at the Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Santa Monica and Las Virgenes unified school districts canceled classes Wednesday.
Dozens of Los Angeles County schools were closed Wednesday due to the fire. A number of schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District were also closed.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Pacific Palisades is located about 10 miles from Malibu, where the Franklin Fire burned more than 4,000 acres and burned several homes after erupting during similar windy conditions in December.
Prophetic Link:
“Everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea and by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every grade. Who can read the future? Where is security? There is assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. Rapidly are men ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen. Restlessly are they waiting and watching the movements of their leaders. There are those who are waiting and watching and working for our Lord’s appearing. Another class are falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. Few believe with heart and soul that we have a hell to shun and a heaven to win.” Desire of Ages, page 636.1.
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