Los Angeles has now been struck by a fire tornado as the Palisades blaze continues to spread across LA county.Â
The disaster has already claimed the lives of at least 11 people and destroyed more than 10,000 structures.
On Friday night, LA county was still battling at least six major fires.Â
Recently, the Palisades fire in Los Angeles has grown, leading to a partial closure of the 405 freeway. The flames are encroaching on the upscale neighborhoods of Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood.
Recently-released footage now shows how a fire tornado has formed as flames edge closer into the city’s San Fernando Valley.Â
A fire tornado is a rare phenomenon that occurs when a fire and turbulent winds create a spinning column of fire, ash and smoke.Â
They are likely to occur during a wild fire due to intense heat rising quickly.Â
The video shows the fire tornado swirling as flames spread toward Mulholland Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains.Â
Los Angeles has now been struck by a fire tornado as the Palisades blaze continues to spread across LA county
A fire tornado is a rare phenomenon that occurs when a fire and turbulent winds create a spinning column of fire, ash and smoke
Last night, a new evacuation order was issued for more Los Angeles residents as the Palisades Fire continued to spread eastward towards Brentwood.
Jesus Ruiz, a spokesperson for LA County, described the latest wildfire as a ‘significant development.’ Firefighters are working diligently to prevent the inferno from spreading any further.
The fires have claimed the lives of at least 11 people and have burned more than 37,000 acres of land so far, with hellish flames destroying 12,000 structures and displacing tens of thousands of residents.
President Joe Biden last night warned that the death toll was likely to rise.
According to state authority Cal Fire, there are at least six fires currently burning, with the Palisades fire being the largest.
LA County Public Health issued a public health order, stating that the fires had ‘severely degraded air quality…posing immediate and long-term risks to public health’.
People have been advised to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, use air conditioners to recirculate and filter the air, and to wear a mask if going outdoors.
Since the flames erupted in and around the city, scores of residents have today returned to their still smouldering neighbourhoods even as the threat of new fires persisted.
Footage shows the fire tornado swirling as flames spread toward Mulholland Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains
Firefighters mop up hot spots near the major communications towers on Mount Wilson, as the Eaton Fire continues to burn on January 9, 2025 near Altadena, California
Firefighters work to extinguish flames at a McDonald’s in Pasadena on January 7
The ruins of many homes destroyed by the Eaton Fire are seen on January 10
Flames from the Eaton fire in Altadena engulf a home as the huge blaze moves through the area
Local residents give away food, clothing, personal items and water to assist anyone affected by the Eaton Fire yesterday
A County Firefighters assess spot fires from the Kenneth Fire Kenneth Fire in West Hills
A view of the burned auditorium at the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on January 10, 2025 in Altadena, California
A firefighting aircraft drops the fire retardant Phos-Chek near homes during the Palisades Fire
For some, it was a first look at the staggering reality of what was lost as the region of 13 million people grapples with the gargantuan challenge of overcoming the disaster and rebuilding.
Calmer winds enabled firefighters to start gaining some control of the biggest blazes in metropolitan LA on Friday, before gusty weather returns over the weekend to an area that has not seen rain for more than eight months.
The government has not yet released figures on the cost of the damage, but private firms have estimated it will climb into the tens of billions.
The scale of the devastation has prompted locals to demand answers from officials, amid reports that fire hydrants in some of the worst hit areas ran dry.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest names have seen their beloved homes razed in the devastating wildfires that have swept through LA this week.
Anthony Hopkins, Miles Teller and Anna Faris are just a few of the many stars whose stunning mansions have been reduced to ash and rubble.
The Kardashians have also all evacuated their Hidden Hills and Calabasas mansions as the apocalyptic Kenneth Fire threatened to rip through the desirable neighbourhoods.
It also comes amid reports that a British-born former child actor was tragically killed in the devastating LA fires.
Rory Callum Skye, 32, was left trapped inside a self-contained cottage in Malibu after it went up in flames, The Sun reported.
Skye’s death was confirmed by his mother Shelley, who explained how she tried to put out the sparks that had landed on the roof of the 17-acre property.
Pope Francis today prayed for victims and rescuers trying to contain the California wildfires, the Vatican said. Â
His Holiness Pope Francis assures you and the community affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness,’ said a statement sent on the pope’s behalf to the Archbishop of Los Angeles, Jose H. Gomez.
Expressing ‘heartfelt condolences for those who mourn their loss,’ Francis also offered prayers ‘for the relief efforts of emergency services personnel’ and imparted ‘his blessing to all as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord.’
Los Angeles is home to the largest Catholic community in the United States, according to the LA Catholics website.
