The strong winds that have spread the fires in recent days are beginning to subside somewhat, according to a local fire chief. In the Altadena neighborhood, the flames are still completely out of control. Nor have the thousands of firefighters called in managed to gain control over the historically large fire in celebrity-studded Pacific Palisades.
The fire that has raged around Hollywood has, however, subsided somewhat since the wind decreased, according to fire officials. But the weather agency NWS warns that strong winds are expected again later on Thursday.
Unprecedented Firestorm
The winds continue to be of historic proportions, says Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass at a press conference on Thursday morning, local time, and describes the events as an "absolutely unprecedented, historic firestorm".
One of the five people confirmed dead is 66-year-old Victor Shaw. He died when he stayed to try to save his childhood home despite the evacuation order, his sister Shari tells local TV station KTLA. It was also the siblings' joint home, but she felt forced to leave when the flames surrounded her.
When I went back in and called his name, he didn't answer, she says.
The house is one of nearly 2,000 homes and buildings destroyed, with the number constantly increasing as tens of thousands of properties are threatened by the fires. The death toll is feared to rise as the affected areas are searched.
Evacuated Homes Looted
Another person who has seen their home in flames is evacuee William Gonzales, from the affected neighborhood of Altadena.
We've lost almost everything, the flames have consumed all our dreams, he says.
As hundreds of thousands have been ordered to evacuate their homes, local police have had to crack down on criminals who take the opportunity to steal from the homes. The police have so far arrested 20 people.
The White House has announced that President Joe Biden is canceling his last planned foreign trip, which was to go to Rome, due to the fires.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre writes in a statement that the decision was made after Biden met with police and rescue personnel on site in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and that the focus is on directing the "full-scale federal response" to the crisis.
