Southern California wildfires prompt more evacuations overnight; LA County declares health emergency

The expanding wildfires in Southern California have prompted more evacuation orders overnight while the Los Angeles County Public Health Department declared a local health emergency, stating the developments are causing “significant health and safety risks for residents across the county.” 

The Palisades Fire, the biggest of the six active wildfires in the Los Angeles area, has expanded east late on Friday and forced officials to declare evacuation orders in Encino and Brentwood neighborhoods. 

The wildfires have, so far, killed at least 11 people and have burned more than 37,000 acres, according to Cal Fire’s latest data. The flames, which initially started on Tuesday, have destroyed over 12,000 structures and have displaced tens of thousands of Californians. 

The Palisades Fire is the largest of the blazes, having burned over 21,000 acres with eight percent containment. The second biggest one is the Eaton Fire with more than 14,000 burned acres with three percent being contained, according to Cal Fire. 

On Friday, the county public health department declared a local health emergency due to the far-reaching wildfires. 

"The fires, coupled with strong winds, have severely degraded air quality by releasing hazardous smoke and particulate matter, posing immediate and long-term risks to public health,” the department wrote in a Friday press release. “Additionally, the fires have caused widespread displacement of residents, prompted emergency evacuations from healthcare facilities, and disrupted vital health services and resources.” 

The department prohibited the use of power air blowers, including leaf blowers, because their use would “stir up ash and particulate matter into the air, further worsening air quality and increasing health risks for everyone and their pets.” 

The department also issued a series of recommendations for residents to better protect themselves, including directing them to stay indoors or limit their exposure if they see or smell smoke or even notice ash in the air, “especially if you have heart or lung conditions, are elderly, or have children.”