Wildfires Rage Across Southern California, Threatening Homes and Lives Wildfires continued to spread in Southern California, burning nearly 30,000 acres across Los Angeles County as of early Thursday. Firefighters are battling multiple blazes that have destroyed neighborhoods, forced thousands to evacuate, and caused at least five deaths. Massive Evacuations and Fire DamageOver 130,000 residents in Los Angeles County have been ordered to evacuate or prepare to leave, according to LA County Sheriff Robert Luna. The National Weather Service warns that high winds, dry vegetation, and low humidity are making the fires even harder to control. The largest fires include: – The Eaton Fire: Burned 10,600 acres. The Palisades Fire: Burned over 17,000 acres. A new fire, called the Sunset Fire, erupted Wednesday night in the Hollywood Hills. It led to mandatory evacuations in well-known areas like Mulholland Drive, Hollywood Boulevard, and Runyon Canyon Park. By Thursday morning, evacuation orders were lifted in most of these areas. Aerial footage showed flames consuming homes, stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Containment Progress** Firefighters have partially contained two fires: -The Lidia Fire: 40% contained. The Woodley Fire: Fully contained. Evacuation OrdersAuthorities issue two types of alerts: -Evacuation Orders: Immediate danger to life; residents must leave. Evacuation Warnings: Potential danger; residents, especially those with pets or livestock, should prepare to evacuate. Residents like Cheryl Heuton and her husband evacuated their Pasadena home, taking only essentials. While their house survived, their backyard was damaged. For others, like Emily Kovner Moss, the fires were devastating—her entire home and block were destroyed. Government Response California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that over 7,500 personnel are working to fight the fires. Resources include helicopters, water tankers, and bulldozers. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged residents to conserve water and said police are helping manage evacuation traffic. She emphasized that officials are closing roads and redirecting vehicles to allow firefighters quicker access to fire zones. All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District will remain closed on Thursday. Bass, who recently returned from a trip to Ghana, said she remained in contact with local authorities during her journey back. Southern California continues to face critical fire risks as the battle against these destructive wildfires unfolds.