LA Wildfire Damages Iconic Palisades Charter High School
A massive wildfire in Los Angeles has engulfed parts of Palisades Charter High School, a renowned educational institution and filming location for Hollywood movies like Carrie, Teen Wolf, and Freaky Friday. The school, situated in the upscale Pacific Palisades area, has been evacuated along with nearby residents as the Palisades Fire continues to rage uncontrollably.
School and Surrounding Areas Impacted
Palisades Charter High School, which has alumni including celebrities like Will.i.am and Forest Whitaker, confirmed its closure due to the fire. According to local media, flames have reached the school’s premises, damaging its sporting facilities. However, the extent of destruction to the main buildings remains unclear.
The Los Angeles Times reported that a small number of students and staff were present at the school when the fire spread but were quickly evacuated. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported so far.
Three Wildfires Burn Across Los Angeles
The Palisades Fire is one of three blazes currently threatening Los Angeles. Covering nearly 3,000 acres, the fire is completely uncontained, prompting mandatory evacuations for approximately 30,000 people in the Pacific Palisades area. Two other fires, in Altadena and Sylmar, have also ignited, compounding the crisis.
“It’s like armageddon,” an evacuee told CBS News, describing the devastating scene.
The upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, known for its celebrity residents, has seen stars like Eugene Levy, Tom Hanks, and Jennifer Aniston forced to leave their homes.
Firefighters Face Tough Conditions
More than 1,400 firefighters are battling the “unprecedented” blazes, Governor Gavin Newsom announced. Fire ecologist Chad Hanson explained that the Santa Ana winds, unique to Southern California, are exacerbating the situation with extreme gusts and sustained wind speeds.
“These winds create the perfect storm for rapid wildfire spread,” Hanson noted, predicting challenging conditions for fire crews during the early morning hours.
A Community in Crisis
The fire has affected more than just homes. Palisades Charter Elementary School is also reportedly impacted, adding to the widespread disruption. Families, local officials, and firefighters are bracing for further challenges as efforts to contain the fires continue.
Residents are advised to monitor updates from fire officials and use the interactive map to track affected areas.
External Link: Read the full story on BBC
Internal Link: Explore wildfire safety tips on Kenkou Land
