Los Angeles has now been hit by a fire tornado as the Palisades Fire continues to spread across LA County.
The disaster has already killed at least eleven people and destroyed more than 10,000 structures.
As of Friday evening, LA County was still dealing with at least six major fires.
Newly released images now show a fire tornado forming as the flames close in on the city’s San Fernando Valley.
A fire tornado is a rare phenomenon that occurs when a fire and turbulent winds create a rotating column of fire, ash and smoke.
They are likely to occur during a wildfire due to the intense heat that rises quickly.
The video shows the fire tornado swirling as the flames spread toward Mulholland Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Los Angeles has now been hit by a fire tornado as the Palisades Fire continues to spread across LA County
A fire tornado is a rare phenomenon that occurs when a fire and turbulent wind create a rotating column of fire, ash and smoke
It comes as a new evacuation was ordered last night for several more LA residents as the Palisades Fire spread east and reached glitzy Brentwood.
LA County spokesman Jesus Ruiz said the latest fire was a “major development” as firefighters rushed to stop the inferno from spreading further.
The fires have claimed the lives of at least 11 people and have so far burned more than 37,000 hectares of land, with infernal flames destroying 12,000 structures and displacing tens of thousands of residents.
President Joe Biden warned last night that the death toll was likely to rise.
According to state authority Cal Fire, there are currently at least six fires burning, with the Palisades fire being the largest.
LA County Public Health issued a public health order, stating that the fires had “severely deteriorated air quality… posing immediate and long-term risks to public health.”
People have been advised to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, use air conditioners to recirculate and filter the air, and wear a mask when going outside.
Since the flames broke out in and around the city, dozens of residents have returned to their still-smoldering neighborhoods today, even as the threat of new fires remained.
Footage shows the fire tornado swirling as flames spread toward Mulholland Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains
Firefighters clear hot spots near the main communications towers on Mount Wilson as the Eaton Fire continues to burn near Altadena, California on January 9, 2025
Firefighters work to extinguish flames at a McDonald’s in Pasadena on January 7
On January 10, the ruins of many homes destroyed by the Eaton fire can be seen
Flames from the Eaton Fire in Altadena engulf a home as the massive blaze sweeps through the area
Local residents are giving away food, clothing, personal items and water to help everyone affected by yesterday’s Eaton fire
County firefighters are assessing local fires from the Kenneth Fire Kenneth Fire in West Hills
A view of the burned Eliot Arts Magnet Academy auditorium that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on January 10, 2025 in Altadena, California
A firefighting plane drops fire retardant Phos-Chek near homes during the Palisades Fire
For some, it was a first look at the staggering reality of what was lost as the region of 13 million struggles with the monumental challenge of recovering from the disaster and rebuilding.
Calmer winds allowed firefighters to gain some control of the largest fires in metropolitan LA on Friday before stormy weather returns this weekend to an area that hasn’t seen rain in more than eight months.
The government has not yet released figures on the cost of the damage, but private companies estimate it will be in the tens of billions.
The extent of the destruction has prompted locals to demand answers from officials, amid reports that fire hydrants were running dry in some of the worst-hit areas.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest names have seen their beloved homes razed to the ground during the devastating wildfires that swept through LA this week.
Anthony Hopkins, Miles Teller and Anna Faris are just some of the many stars whose beautiful mansions have been reduced to ashes and rubble.
The Kardashians also all evacuated their mansions in Hidden Hills and Calabasas as the apocalyptic Kenneth Fire threatened to rip through the sought-after neighborhoods.
It also comes amid reports that a British-born former child actor tragically died in the devastating LA fires.
Rory Callum Skye, 32, was left locked in a self-contained cottage in Malibu after it went up in flames, The Sun reported.
Skye’s death was confirmed by his mother Shelley, who explained how she tried to extinguish the sparks that landed on the roof of the 17-acre estate.
Pope Francis today prayed for the victims and rescuers trying to contain the wildfires in California, the Vatican said.
His Holiness Pope Francis assures you and the community affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness,” said a statement sent on behalf of the pope to the Archbishop of Los Angeles, Jose H. Gomez.
Francis offered his “sincere condolences to those who mourn their loss,” also offering prayers “for the assistance of emergency services personnel” and bestowing “his blessing on all as a pledge of comfort and strength in the Lord.”
According to the LA Catholics website, Los Angeles is home to the largest Catholic community in the United States.