9 January 2025
Own Correspondent
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES – A rapidly spreading wildfire in the Hollywood Hills has led to mandatory evacuation orders for over 130,000 residents across the greater Los Angeles area.
The fire, known as the “Sunset Fire,” ignited shortly before 2 a.m. near North Curson Avenue and Wattles Drive, quickly consuming 20 acres of brush near Runyon Canyon.
Evacuation orders have been issued for areas stretching from Laurel Canyon Boulevar on the west, Mulholland Drive on the north, the 101 Freeway on the east, and Hollywood Boulevard on the south.
Additionally, the beachfront City of Santa Monica has also been affected, as the nearby Pacific Palisades Fire continues to burn.
Firefighters are actively battling multiple blazes, including the Hurst Fire to the north of Los Angeles and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena. A new fire has also broken out in the Acton area of Los Angeles County.
In response to the crisis, President Joe Biden has canceled his planned trip to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis, opting instead to remain in Washington to oversee the federal response to the wildfires.
“The decision was made just hours before he was set to depart for Rome,” a White House official stated.
Aerial footage from NBC News captured the flames engulfing the hills as firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the blaze. Fortunately, no injuries or structural damage have been reported thus far.
Paris Hilton’s Heartbreak
In a tragic turn of events, socialite Paris Hilton revealed that her Malibu home has been destroyed in the wildfires.
“Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience,” Hilton expressed in a heartfelt post on X.
“This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London,” she added.
Despite the overwhelming loss, Hilton emphasized her gratitude for her family’s safety and extended her prayers to all families affected by the fires.
“My 11:11 Media Impact Team is already reaching out to non-profit organizations to figure out how we can best support the communities impacted by these fires,” she stated.
Looting Concerns Amidst the Crisis
As the wildfires wreak havoc across Los Angeles, concerns about looting have arisen. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced that three individuals have been arrested for alleged looting in fire-stricken areas.
“This is 100 percent unacceptable,” Luna declared during a briefing on the ongoing wildfire response.
This follows earlier reports of two other arrests for similar offenses, highlighting the heightened security concerns as evacuations continue.
The situation remains fluid as firefighters work to contain the blazes and residents grapple with the impact of the wildfires on their lives and communities.