LOS ANGELES — Firefighters began to slow the spread of deadly and devastating fires in the Los Angeles area Thursday after the ferocious winds that drove the fast-moving flames diminished, but the largest blazes still burned out of control.
What You Need To Know
- Firefighters are making progress slowing the major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and caused thousands of people to flee their homes
- Ferocious winds that drove the flames and prompted chaotic evacuations have calmed somewhat, but major gusts remain a threat Thursday
- Roughly 180,000 people are under evacuation orders in the Los Angeles area
- Authorities are just beginning to calculate the toll
Crews were able to knock down a major threat that broke out Wednesday evening in the Hollywood Hills, close to the heart of the entertainment industry, and by morning had lifted an evacuation order for the area.
"While we are still facing significant threats, I am hopeful that the tide is turning," Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said during a news conference Thursday morning.
Water dropped from aircraft helped fire crews quickly seize control of the fires in the Hollywood Hills and Studio City, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said. Much of the widespread destruction around the city occurred Tuesday after those aircraft were grounded due to high winds.
Wind gusts were expected to strengthen Thursday evening through Friday morning, with yet another round of strong winds expected next week, raising concerns that the conditions could worsen, the National Weather Service said.
But Thursday's daytime forecast could provide a window for firefighters — including crews pouring in from neighboring states and Canada — to make progress in reining in blazes that have killed at least five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and caused thousands of people to flee their homes.
The metropolitan region, home to 13 million people, was marred by haunting scenes of destruction: At one spot in Malibu, blackened palm strands towered over debris where homes with ocean views once stood.
Flames from the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills soared Wednesday night not far from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussauds. Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott said firefighters were able to keep the blaze in check because "we hit it hard and fast and Mother Nature was a little nicer to us."
Fire officials said Thursday that they don't yet know the cause of the fires but are actively investigating.