Devastating fires rage through Los Angeles, with fatalities and severe injuries reported

(Patria) - At least two people have died, and many have been severely injured in fires raging through the Los Angeles area, firefighters said today, adding that thousands of people had to be evacuated.

- Unfortunately, we have two civilian fatalities whose cause is currently unknown, and we have many serious injuries - Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone told reporters.

He added that about a thousand homes were destroyed in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood between the coastal cities of Santa Monica and Malibu.

- We have over 2,000 acres burned and the fire is intensifying - Marrone said, estimating the number of destroyed buildings at a thousand.

Marrone added that there are currently not enough firefighters in Los Angeles County to combat several simultaneous large fires, Reuters reported.

Before the fires broke out, the state meteorological service issued the highest warning for extreme fire conditions in most of Los Angeles County from Tuesday to Thursday.

Due to low humidity and dry vegetation caused by a lack of rain, conditions were ideal for the spread of fires.

Warm winds, typical for the Californian winter, could reach speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour on Wednesday, meteorological services stated, which could further fuel the fires and be deadly.