As the wildfires across Los Angeles County continue to wreak havoc, officials report that at least **five people have died** as a result of the blazes, and **nearly one million residents are without power**. The Palisades Fire, which has expanded significantly, now covers **over 20,000 acres**, prompting thorough emergency responses and evacuation orders affecting tens of thousands of people.

According to reports from Forbes, the **Eaton Fire** has resulted in the highest fatalities, with all reported deaths occurring in the areas surrounding Altadena and Pasadena. On Wednesday afternoon, the Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed the tragic increase in fatalities linked to the raging fires, which shows no signs of containment.

The **Palisades Fire**, primarily located in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, reached **15,832 acres** in size shortly before **1:30 p.m. PST** on Wednesday. This fire is the largest among those burning in the county, according to figures from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Roads have been congested with heavy traffic as residents attempt to evacuate, leading to additional struggles for emergency services attempting to reach those in danger.

At the start of the spate of fires, approximately **30,000 residents** received direct evacuation orders due to the **rapid spread** of the flames, aided by exceptionally high winds. The fierce Santa Ana winds have rated concerns, leading to deadly conditions amidst already severe fire risk. As of this morning, the National Weather Service has continued to issue **red flag warnings** across the area due to warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds that exacerbate the fire hazard.

Moreover, the winds have presented significant challenges to firefighting efforts. Winds gusting up to **99 mph** were reported near Altadena, creating an environment conducive to rapid fire spread and complicating the battle against the flames. Firefighting operations have faced interruptions due to these conditions, although air support was resumed after a lengthy suspension.

As evacuations intensify, various **schools** and **universities** in the dangerously affected areas, such as **Pepperdine University**, have closed to ensure the safety of students and staff. Major events, including award shows in **Hollywood**, have also been postponed or canceled in response to the fires.

In a statement, California Governor **Gavin Newsom** emphasized the severity of the ongoing situation, stating, “This is a highly dangerous windstorm creating extreme fire risk, and we’re not out of the woods.” The state of emergency remains in effect.

For continuous updates, readers can track the evolving situation in detail through resources like Forbes and local media channels.