Paris Hilton's House Also 'Engulfed'... LA Wildfire Continues for Three Days, Estimated Damage Reaches 73 Trillion Won

At Least 5 Dead, Damage Expected to Increase
Hollywood Partially Contained, Evacuation Order Lifted
Currently 200,000 Residents Under 'Evacuation Warning'

In Los Angeles (LA), the largest city in the western United States, multiple wildfires have continued for the third consecutive day. While firefighting efforts have made progress in some inland areas, fires along the coastal regions are spreading uncontrollably. The damage assessment in the affected areas is still in its early stages, and the number of casualties and the extent of property damage are expected to increase. Additionally, due to the risk of further fire spread and concerns over inhaling toxic smoke, evacuation orders have been issued for approximately 180,000 people across the entire metropolitan area.

In Los Angeles (LA), the largest city in the western United States, simultaneous wildfires have continued for the third day. While firefighting efforts have made progress in some inland areas, fires along the coastal region are spreading uncontrollably. Photo by EPA and Yonhap News

On the 9th (local time), foreign media outlets such as the Associated Press (AP) and CNN reported that wildfires broke out in the affluent Pacific Palisades area on the west coast of LA the previous morning, followed by fires in Eaton, Hearst, and Woodley. Additional wildfires were reported in Olivas, Lydia, and Hollywood Hills, resulting in seven large wildfires simultaneously spreading across LA and its surrounding areas. Fueled by strong winds, the fires have spread uncontrollably, reaching an unmanageable level. The New York Times (NYT) explained that as of that afternoon, the fires had consumed approximately 202 square kilometers?about 70 times the size of Yeouido (2.9 km²)?destroying at least 1,000 buildings, displacing around 150,000 people, and causing power outages for approximately 1.5 million households, causing significant inconvenience to local residents.

Among those affected by the coastal wildfires were several celebrities, including actor Mark Hamill, who played the protagonist Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series, whose homes were either burned or forced to evacuate. AP reported, "Several celebrities' homes, including actor James Woods and singer-actor Mandy Moore, were burned, and stars evacuated," adding, "Actors Carrie Elwes and Paris Hilton are among the stars who have reported losing their homes to the fires." Due to the LA wildfires, various events such as Hollywood award ceremonies and film premieres were postponed or canceled. The announcement of the nominees for the 97th Academy Awards, originally scheduled for the 17th, was postponed by two days to the 19th.

Continued Wildfire Spread Causes Major Difficulties in Firefighting and Response

As of 9 a.m. in LA County, five large wildfires are ongoing, with the largest?the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire?still showing a 0% containment rate, according to fire authorities. In particular, the Palisades Fire, the largest fire originating in the affluent Pacific Palisades area on the west coast, continues to spread, causing significant challenges in firefighting and response efforts.

As of 9 a.m. on this day, five large wildfires continue in LA County, with the largest among them, the 'Palisades Fire' and the 'Eaton Fire,' still showing a 0% containment rate, according to fire authorities. Photo by EPA and Yonhap News

The Eaton Fire, which broke out in the eastern inland area of LA County where many Korean residents live, has at least halted its spread, remaining at a damage area of 10,600 acres (43 km²) as of the previous day. However, the Altadena area, the fire's origin point, suffered severe damage due to the rapid early spread of flames, and the damage is expected to increase once search and recovery operations fully commence. All five confirmed wildfire fatalities so far have occurred in this area. Altadena, where the fatalities were confirmed, is adjacent to La Crescenta, La Ca?ada-Flintridge, and Pasadena?areas with significant Korean populations?but the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in LA reported that no Korean casualties have been identified from this fire so far.

The Sunset Fire, which broke out around 6 p.m. the previous day in the mountainous area north of the famous Hollywood Boulevard, fortunately stopped spreading at a damage area of 43 acres (0.17 km²) and is showing signs of stabilization. Consequently, the evacuation order for the Hollywood area was lifted as of 7:30 a.m. that day. The Woodley Fire, which occurred in the Van Nuys Basin in northwest LA, burned 30 acres (0.12 km²) and has been fully contained, according to authorities. The Hearst Fire in northern LA's San Fernando Valley (3.5 km²) is 10% contained, and the Lydia Fire near Magic Mountain in northern LA (1.4 km²) is about 40% contained.

Authorities report that evacuation orders remain in effect for 179,783 people across LA County. The population under evacuation orders increased by about 25,000 from approximately 155,000 the previous night. Additionally, the number of residents under "evacuation warnings," meaning they must be prepared to leave their homes at any time, currently reaches 200,000, according to the LA Sheriff’s Department. Authorities estimate that thousands of buildings have been destroyed by these simultaneous wildfires. The largest U.S. financial institution, JP Morgan Chase, has projected that the economic damage caused by the LA County wildfires could approach $50 billion (approximately 73 trillion KRW) to date.