Evacuations in Armenian-Populated Areas of Los Angeles: Details

Wildfires that have erupted in Los Angeles have reached Armenian-populated cities and neighborhoods. Lilith Aslanyan, a journalist based in Los Angeles, shared this information with Sputnik Armenia.

According to her, meteorologists had been warning since the previous day about strong winds, and thousands of residents have already been evacuated in several areas of Los Angeles due to the wildfires.

"The largest fires and evacuations have occurred in the Pacific Palisades area, north of Malibu. The rapidly spreading wildfire has burned over 1,200 hectares, and more than 10,000 residential properties have been evacuated affecting nearly 30,000 people. Several structures have been destroyed by the fire," she noted.

The fire spreads rapidly due to strong winds, which are particularly characteristic of coastal regions. Aslanyan mentioned that wind speeds in that area reach up to 100 miles per hour.

She also stated that there are fires in several other Armenian-populated neighborhoods, such as Pasadena and Altadena, near Glendale, where many Lebanese Armenians reside. The fire has now spread over about 200 hectares, and residents are being evacuated. Aslanyan stated that evacuations are still ongoing.

"There is also a fire in Sylmar, where many Armenians have been living recently. It is located about 20-25 minutes away from Glendale, and about 50 areas of vegetation have burned, and residents are being evacuated," Aslanyan said.

Some areas of Los Angeles have lost power and internet connectivity. Meteorologists forecast that winds will continue until tomorrow. The journalist from Los Angeles has reported that schools have already been announced to be closed tomorrow.