Los Angeles commuters had quita a drive to work Wednesday morning as a wildfire swept through the Bel-Air district, forcing the closure of at least one stretch of a major freeway.
Today was scariest morning commute of my life: #gettycenter #skirballfire pic.twitter.com/aECWhnJ26I
— Patrick S. (@70sspacepunk) December 6, 2017
The wildfire has reportedly reached about 50 acres in size and is still growing, fueled by 25-mph winds. While the freeway closures were in the name of safety, one negative result was a massive gridlock in one of Los Angeles' most congested and busy areas. Officials have issued a mandatory evacuation notice to at least one neighborhood filled with multimillion-dollar homes, as the fire has already started burning some down. More than 125 firefighters have been on the scene, and water-dropping helicopters are reportedly being used to quench the flames.
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Terrified drivers took to social media to share dramatic photos and videos from their drives:
This is My drive to work this. Lord “Be still”.
— CoCo Mayo♏️🦂 (@CoCo_Mayo76) December 6, 2017
Praying 🙏 for ppl up in those mountains, LA County and myself this morning. FYI anyone on the #405 turn around ITS ON 🔥 #SkirballFire pic.twitter.com/F0rMsotbTa
“This is My drive to work this. Lord ‘Be still,'” one Twitter user wrote. “Praying for [people] up in those mountains, LA County and myself this morning.”
Driving to LAX just as they’re closing the 405 for this roaring hillside fire near the Getty exit. Car windows are hot. Stay safe, LA. pic.twitter.com/gclO6A6WB9
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) December 6, 2017
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) December 6, 2017
Fire burning off 405 freeway near Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles. Source: Shannon Wilson pic.twitter.com/3BG4DqlLx4
— Jeff Nguyen (@jeffnguyen) December 6, 2017
Multiple wildfires are raging throughout Southern California, smothering the region in smoke. In addition to the Bel-Air fire, the Ventura County fire has forced at least 50,000 people to evacuate. Meanwhile, blazes from the Sylmar fire, Santa Clarita fire and San Bernardino fire have also had devastating effects.
Cox Media Group