Los Angeles has now been hit by a fire tornado as the Palisades Fire continues to spread across Los Angeles County.
The disaster has already claimed the lives of at least 11 people and destroyed more than 10,000 structures.
As of Friday night, Los Angeles County was still battling at least six major fires.
Recently released images now show a fire tornado forming as flames approached the city’s San Fernando Valley.
A fire tornado is a rare phenomenon that occurs when a fire and turbulent winds create a rotating column of fire, ash and smoke.
They are likely to occur during a wildfire due to the intense, rapidly increasing heat.
Video shows the fire tornado swirling as flames spread toward Mulholland Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Los Angeles has been hit by a fire tornado as the Palisades Fire continues to spread across Los Angeles County.
A fire tornado is a rare phenomenon that occurs when a fire and turbulent winds create a rotating column of fire, ash and smoke.
It comes as a new evacuation was implemented for several more Los Angeles residents last night as the Palisades Fire spread east and reached stunning Brentwood.
Los Angeles County spokesman Jesus Ruiz said the latest fire was a “significant event” as firefighters rushed to prevent the inferno from spreading further.
The fires have claimed the lives of at least 11 people and burned more than 37,000 acres of land so far, with infernal flames destroying 12,000 structures and displacing tens of thousands of residents.
President Joe Biden warned last night that the death toll was likely to rise.
According to state authority Cal Fire, there are currently at least six fires, with the Palisades Fire being the largest.
Los Angeles 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 wear a mask if they go outdoors.
Since flames broke out in and around the city, dozens of residents have returned to their still-burning neighborhoods today, 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 clear hot spots near 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 houses destroyed by the Eaton fire are seen on January 10
Flames from the Eaton Fire in Altadena engulf a home as the massive fire moves through the area
Local residents are giving away food, clothing, personal items and water to help anyone affected by the Eaton fire yesterday.
County firefighters assess spot fires from 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 plane drops Phos-Chek fire retardant 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 faces the daunting challenge of overcoming the disaster and rebuilding.
Calmer winds allowed firefighters to begin partially controlling the largest fires in the Los Angeles metropolitan area on Friday, before gusty weather returns over the weekend to an area that hasn’t seen rain in more than eight months. .
The government has not yet released figures on the cost of the damage, but private companies have estimated it will run into the tens of billions.
The scale of the devastation has led locals to demand answers from officials, amid reports that fire hydrants in some of the worst-affected areas have run dry.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest names have seen their beloved homes devastated by the devastating wildfires that devastated Los Angeles this week.
Anthony Hopkins, Miles Teller and Anna Faris are just a few of the many stars whose impressive mansions have been reduced to ashes and rubble.
The Kardashians also evacuated their Hidden Hills and Calabasas mansions when the apocalyptic Kenneth Fire threatened to level the desirable neighborhoods.
It also comes amid reports that a British-born former child actor tragically died in the devastating Los Angeles fires.
Rory Callum Skye, 32, was trapped inside a detached cabin in Malibu after it caught fire, The Sun reported.
Skye’s death was confirmed by her mother Shelley, who explained how she tried to put out sparks that had landed on the roof of the 17-acre property.
Pope Francis prayed today for the victims and rescuers trying to contain the California wildfires, the Vatican said.
His Holiness Pope Francis assures you and the community affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness,’ stated a statement sent on behalf of the Pope to the Archbishop of Los Angeles, José H. Gómez.
Francis expressed “his deepest condolences to those who mourn his loss,” and also offered prayers “for the relief efforts of emergency services personnel” and imparted “his blessing to all as a promise of comfort and strength in the Lord.” .
Los Angeles is home to the largest Catholic community in the United States, according to the LA Catholics website.