The UK Government’s Foreign Office has issued a travel warning due to the wildfires in California in the USA. It comes after a state of emergency was declared by the governor of California as wildfires, which have been fuelled by high winds, swept through the suburbs of Los Angeles.
It has been reported that firefighters are tackling the blaze, while around 30,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate the LA hillside near the fire. The blaze is currently tearing through the foothills of Pacific Palisades, which is located between Santa Monica and Malibu.
According to Los Angeles Fire Department, the fire has grown to more than 1,200 acres. In response, the Foreign Office has warned travellers to “monitor local media and follow the advice of the local authorities” if they are in the area or considering travelling to Los Angeles. The travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands.
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The update reads: “Fast-spreading wildfires are currently active within Los Angeles County. You should monitor local media and follow the advice of the local authorities. More detailed information can be found on CAL FIRE. If you are in need of consular assistance, you should call +1 310 789 0031 or visit Emergency help. In the UK, call +44 (0) 20 7008 5000.”
On Wednesday, January 8, California’s governor Gavin Newsom took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and shared: “I’ve proclaimed a state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the #PalisadesFire. Southern California residents: stay vigilant, take all necessary precautions, and follow local emergency guidance.”
“Los Angeles is currently experiencing an extreme fire weather condition with red flag alert,” the Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said during a press briefing. “The fire is being fuelled by a combination of strong winds and surrounding topography, which is making it extremely challenging for our personnel that are assigned to this incident.”