Los Angeles wildfires live: 5 dead, celebrity houses damaged, Oscar nomination delayed

Los angeles wildfire rages as flames sweep southern california by wednesday night, at least five people had been killed and thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate. The destructive flames have destroyed homes, even in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

Firefighters are engaged in three large blazes, driven by wind gusts topping 80 miles per hour. The hardest-hit area, known as the Palisades fire, has burned more than 1,000 structures and quickly led to emergency evacuations for more than 70,000 residents. Residents said the devastation was extensive, with luxury cars, including Teslas and BMWs, burned to ashes.

The Pacific Palisades blaze has attracted attention due to its threat to celebrity residences and historic landmarks. This is a neighborhood with hillside views and coastal charm but now engulfed in flames and leaving devastation in its wake. However, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said the number of fatalities could increase as search and rescue efforts are ongoing.

California has always faced wildfires (although climate change has driven up their frequency and ferocity), but a combination of human and physical factors added to the risk of fire. The usually high temperatures due to warming, the long-lasting drought and low rainfall cause fire to arise and spread easily. The California wildfire season has stretched into a second year, with dry winds, such as the Santa Anas, spreading the flames.

Officials have asked residents to remain vigilant and heed evacuation orders. Even as firefighters toil around the clock, the Los Angeles blaze is still proving difficult to contain because of the windy conditions.

The Palisades wildfire is just another salient illustration of how much increased of a larger threat from fires California faces. It looks at the urgent need for climate action to avert more devastation. For the time being, the goal is to keep residents safe and the impassioned flames contained.

Follow along as firefighters continue to battle nature’s fury in the Los Angeles wildfire.