Pacific Palisade Fire Threatens to Grow

The City of Los Angeles in the state of California and Pacific counties is on alert due to a wildfire that along with extreme high winds has already leveled structures, homes, acres of forest and forced thousands of residents to evacuate, causing traffic on highways and some people to abandon their cars and run away, according to police reports.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said he found “not a few, but many structures already destroyed.”

So far, the dangerous fire has consumed more than 1,100 acres in Pacific Palisades and residences. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of 30,000 people in this exclusive residential area, and have warned that in the following hours the situation may worsen due to the increase in wind gusts.

For this reason, the Government of California has decreed a state of emergency due to the situation.

Gavin Newsom, governor of California, alerted the residents of Los Angeles that “we are not out of danger” by the Pacific Palisades fire, and although he said that “there is no fire season because it is already all year round” and there are unprecedented winds.

He said that there is equipment and personnel attending the emergency that will continue in the coming days.

He asked the public to search ready.ca.gov for information on how to be vigilant and protected from wildfires.

According to Ready.Ca.gov, it is important to register for free emergency alerts with your county or local officials because wildfires can spread quickly.

You can choose how you receive alerts when you register, including cell phone, home phone, email, text message and, in some cases, TTY devices.

Remember that wildfires can cause power outages, so have backup plans for electrical medical devices and medications that need to be refrigerated and have a battery-powered radio so you can listen for emergency updates.

A very important point is to have a map and plan three different exit routes where you live and work in case of road closures or unexpected changes in conditions.

And talk to your family and come up with an evacuation plan so everyone knows where to go in case of disaster, at this point it is important to choose familiar places to meet and practice getting there.

If you have pets or service animals, think about animal-friendly meeting places.

In emergencies such as fires, it is important to carry an emergency bag with necessary items such as money, important documents, phones, medications and medical devices. Make sure you have essential items for infants, the elderly, people with medical needs and pets.

Finally, it is important to listen and be attentive to warnings and evacuation orders, be clear that “an evacuation order means you must leave immediately. Do not wait because your life and the lives of your family are in danger.” And as the authorities say “please take this emergency very seriously”.