According to ABC News, at least two people are dead and many more injured due to the fires in Southern California. At least 1,000 structures are estimated to have been destroyed in the fire, according to the news report.
The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades - an affluent coastal neighborhood—is now at 11,802 acres, according to Cal Fire. It's now the largest fire of the four burning in Los Angeles County as of Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, urging residents to heed evacuation orders and saying, “This is a highly dangerous windstorm creating extreme fire risk, and we’re not out of the woods.”
Photo courtesy KWTX
For the first time since the COVID pandemic in 2020, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park will also close amid the Los Angeles wildfires, according to Entertainment Weekly.
A spokesperson told Entertainment Weekly, as fires swept through the southern California area due to high winds and dry conditions, the park will not open on Wednesday.
"Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk will be closed today as a result of the extreme winds and fire conditions," the spokesperson said in a statement to EW. "We will continue to assess the situation and expect to open for business tomorrow. The safety of our team members and our guests is our top priority."
The last time the park closed for an emergency was in 2020 during the Covid pandemic.
Others impacted by the L.A. fires included the SAG Awards organization, which canceled its live nominations announcement that was set to be hosted by actors Cooper Koch and Joey King.
Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis also shared to social media a warning message to L.A. residents.
"My community and possibly my home is on fire. My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well. There are so many conflicting reports. With all the technology there seems to be very little information. PLEASE POST FACTS! IT WILL HELP THOSE WONDERING!" Curtis wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of a house engulfed in flames.
Curtis called the fires, "Life on life's terms," continuing: "If ever there was need for the use of the phrase MY HAND IN YOURS, it is right now. Take care of each other. Stay out of the way and let the firefighters do their work. Pray if you believe in it and even if you don't, pray for those who do."
Please keep all those affected by these wildfires in your thoughts and prayers as well as all the firefighters and emergency personnel.
WGOLV relies on community support:
Please consider supporting What's going on in the Lehigh Valley.
WGOLV is an independent news publication located in the Lehigh Valley and is mom-owned and run for nearly 14 years - WGOLV provides all free content on the Facebook page and website - It's a community publication and gives back and supports our local community.
Thank you!
Promotion available:
WGOLV also provides event and small business promotion and reaches millions monthly on the Facebook page of What's going on in the Lehigh Valley. We will come out and do an interview, live broadcast, - flyers can be posted on the Facebook page - articles and so much more!
Events draw out thousands - numerous testimonials are available! We've even worked with Townships and the City of Allentown.
Contact lorilee@wgolv.com