16 Photos That Show Just How Bad the Southern California Wildfires Really Are
Southern California is known for its striking mountain-meets-ocean vistas, but on Thursday, much of that idyllic landscape was put under serious threat. In less than three days, a wildfire dubbed The Woolsey Fire that sprung up inland in Simi Valley has quickly engulfed 35,000 acres in flames and destroyed more than 100 homes.
States of emergency have been declared in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, where around 250,000 residents, including in the tony enclave of Malibu, have been evacuated. With dry conditions and strong winds persisting, firefighters are struggling to get the blaze under control. Here, we rounded up photos that show the toll the fires have already taken on this beloved stretch of coastline.
(P.S.: Want to help? Consider donating to the Ventura County Community Fund, where contributions go directly to wildfire relief.)
Praying for LA. We’ve been through enough this week. Photo by @grantdenham
A post shared by Doug Ellin (@mrdougellin) on Nov 9, 2018 at 12:28pm PST
Residents fleeing evacuation areas were advised to take the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, as the major 101 Freeway was closed with fires raging on both sides. Miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic stretched along the scenic coast for hours.
Zuma Beach became a helicopter water filling location as an @LACOFD @LACoFireAirOps lifts off to battle #WoolseyFire pic.twitter.com/ta4vSOOXf7
— Scott Varley (@VarleyPhoto) November 9, 2018
Malibu’s popular Zuma Beach, typically laden with tourists, has become a helicopter water filling station.
#WoolseyFire #MalibuFire
RT @latimes Llamas are tied to a lifeguard stand on #ZumaBeach in #Malibu @LACoLifeguards pic.twitter.com/tMyDT7TOFe— jimmy alto (@jimmyalto) November 10, 2018
The beach also became a refuge for horses and llamas. Here, animals are tied up to Zuma Beach lifeguard stands.
Ended up trapped for hours at Zuma Beach and had no cell service. Finally getting reception. All of this is surreal. Lots of people still sheltering at the beach. #WoolseyFire pic.twitter.com/740iapnL9d
— Brittny Mejia (@brittny_mejia) November 10, 2018
A different vantage point of Zuma Beach shows the fires inching closer to the sandy stretch.
After jumping the Highway 101 Freeway overnight on Thursday, the fires raged all the way toward the Pacific.
Sad for fans of @WestworldHBO and shows like Dr Quinn Medicine Woman, the Paramount Ranch western town movie set has burned to the ground in the Woolsey Fire @CBSLA #westworld #Woolseyfire pic.twitter.com/DhZWaGbr6g
— John Schreiber (@johnschreiber) November 9, 2018
Historic Western Town at Paramount Ranch, where countless movies and TV shows from Westworld to Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman were filmed, was among the sites destroyed in the fire.
Agoura Hills is one of several areas in Los Angeles County devastated by the fires. Among the homes claimed, Variety reports, is the famous Bachelor mansion from the popular reality series.
Fire crews tending to Mobile homes burning in Point Dume Club #Malibu #WoolseyFire @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/ofesiYSkqn
— Margaret Carrero (@KNXmargaret) November 10, 2018
Fires destroyed residences in Malibu’s Point Dume Club, a high-end mobile home park where properties sell for well over $1 million.
Fires descended down onto heavily populated areas of Malibu, the ritzy seaside town that’s home to numerous celebs. Stars including Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian West, and Melissa Etheridge were forced to evacuate their homes. Meanwhile, Caitlyn Jenner’s Malibu home has reportedly burned down.
Pray for #Malibu #MalibuFire #MalibuEvacuation strong my dears ! ???? we love u from méxico #PrayForMalibu pic.twitter.com/BFL5N24x4Y
— Julio B. (@PsiqueVankina) November 10, 2018
The blaze is seen through a thick haze along a popular state park in Malibu.
A few shots of the California wildfires from above. #CaliforniaWildfires #CaliforniaFires #WoolseyFire pic.twitter.com/dg4XtDTcpn
— Michelle Tucker (@micltuck) November 9, 2018
From above, the coastline is hidden behind thick walls of smoke.
The scenic Pacific Coast Highway appears ominous as dark smoke looms overhead.
Malibu burning during the #Woolseyfire as many fight to save it ???? for @latimes @latimes pic.twitter.com/G3qurc6SOp
— Patrick T. Fallon (@pfal) November 9, 2018
A Los Angeles Times photographer captures the Malibu coastline shrouded in smoke.
.@WallySkalij of @latimes captures one of the most surprising and haunting images from the #WoolseyFire pic.twitter.com/WqLaNvCLsP
— Alan Zarembo (@AlanZarembo) November 10, 2018
An owl finds shelter away from the flames on the sand in Malibu.
Flames engulfed towering palms in Malibu as they inched closer to homes in the area.
Crazy perspective of the #WoolseyFire from #santamonica ... #Malibu #forestfire ???????? pic.twitter.com/sRfQjmIfEO
— Matt Dinsdale (@NEBDinz) November 9, 2018
Thick clouds of smoke above Malibu are seen from the beach all the way down in Santa Monica.
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