Navigating the Flames: Is Southern California Still a Safe Travel Destination?

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Four wildfires are rapidly advancing in Los Angeles, driven by a fierce windstorm and leading to an evacuation directive for tens of thousands of residents.

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The most affected area is the one in the Pacific Palisades district, covering 47 square kilometers — roughly equivalent to 19 Stanley Parks — followed closely by the Eaton fire, estimated at 42 square kilometers. Authorities report that at least two individuals have perished in one of the fires, and more than 1,000 properties have been ravaged.

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L.A. is a sought-after winter locale for numerous B.C. tourists fleeing the chilly temperatures to explore sites such as Disneyland, Hollywood, or Venice Beach.

As of Wednesday afternoon, no fires had been controlled, as per the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Flames were being driven by Santa Ana winds exceeding 97 km/h in certain areas on Tuesday, escalating to 129 km/h by early Wednesday, according to reports from the National Weather Service.

So, is it secure for travelers to continue visiting other regions of L.A.? Here are several inquiries and responses.

Return for consistent updates throughout the day as the travel circumstances may alter.

Are flights being cancelled to L.A. from Vancouver International Airport?

As of 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, all departures from YVR to LAX planned for Wednesday and Thursday were on schedule.

Paul Michna, a representative for YVR, stated while there is no effect on flights organized from YVR to the L.A. vicinity, this could potentially change and travelers are urged to verify with their airline to validate their flight status and timings.

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Is the Los Angeles International Airport operational?

Most international arrivals are landing at LAX without delays. No alterations were anticipated on Wednesday regarding operations at LAX, which is positioned roughly 32 kilometres southeast of Pacific Palisades where the wildfires are extending. Nonetheless, travelers are advised to verify with their airlines to confirm their flight information. 

Reports indicate that the fires can be observed from the airport. The intense Santa Ana winds might influence air turbulence arriving at the airport.

Is it secure to travel to L.A.?

The most recent guidance on the Palisades wildfire and the windstorm in California from the Canadian government suggests taking standard safety measures if heading to L.A. 

Currently, there are no non-essential travel advisories from Canada.

Nevertheless, the U.S. National Weather Service alerts of a “life-threatening and devastating windstorm” expected Tuesday and Wednesday.

The warning states there are multiple areas of concern in L.A., including Hollywood and Beverly Hills. It advises individuals to remain indoors and steer clear of windows.

How grave are these wildfires?

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The fire has scorched thousands of acres in Pacific Palisades, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.

“`as the blazes advanced towards densely inhabited and wealthy areas that house California’s elite. Celebrities from Hollywood, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and James Woods, were among those compelled to evacuate.

Hamill shared on Bluesky that flames engulfed both sides of the road as he and his family escaped from their Malibu residence.

Authorities have indicated that over 13,000 buildings are at risk, with at least 1,000 already destroyed. A minimum of two fatalities have been reported.

The inferno from a blaze that ignited Tuesday evening near a nature reserve in the inland foothills northeast of Los Angeles spread so swiftly that personnel at a senior living facility had to transport dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds down the street to a parking area.

There are accounts of traffic congestion obstructing emergency vehicles and dense smoke.

The situation led the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the unusual step of issuing a call for off-duty firefighters to lend a hand. Strong winds made it unsafe for firefighting aircraft to operate, further complicating efforts. A high wind alert was in effect for the area until 6 p.m., according to an AP report.

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What should B.C. inhabitants do if they are currently in L. A.?

Check for evacuation notices and alerts on the Los Angeles Fire Department’s website. The County of Los Angeles website also provides regular updates.

If you are traveling back to B.C., verify the LAX and YVR websites for the latest details on delays and cancellations.

Are popular amusement parks like Universal Studios and Disneyland open?

Universal Studios declared on Wednesday it would remain closed due to the severe wildfires.

“Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk will be closed today owing to the extreme winds and fire conditions. We will continue to evaluate the situation and hope to resume operations tomorrow. The safety of our team members and our visitors is our foremost priority,” a statement on its website revealed.

At this point, Disneyland still seems to be operating, but that may change. Disneyland is located about 80 kilometers south of Pacific Palisades.

The thrill-seeking park Six Flags Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita was closed Wednesday “due to severe weather” while Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park continued to be open.

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Experts describe this as a firestorm. What does it imply?

Glenn McGillivray, managing director at the Ontario-based Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, noted that the Los Angeles fire is likely to keep spreading due to the strong winds expected to persist into Thursday.

“The house shakes with 90 km/h winds, so I can’t fathom 100 mph winds. It’s driving sparks. It resembles a large welding torch igniting everything in its vicinity,” he remarked.

He indicated that climate change-induced drought has rendered this fire exceptionally challenging to control and perilous to combat, with fire hydrants running dry and fire officials requesting volunteer firefighters.

He predicted the fires would likely intensify before they can be subdued.

“Sparks are blown far ahead of the fire front, igniting objects in their path. These sparks—I liken them to billions of lit cigarettes—ignite A, which often ignites B, which ignites the structure,” he explained.

“Once a few structures catch fire, they ignite additional structures, causing an urban conflagration or a firestorm. All of this necessitates the wind. You can have hot and dry conditions, but without that wind, this phenomenon doesn’t usually occur.”

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McGillivray expressed that leaders in Canada must begin preparing for wildfire threats to major urban centers, such as Edmonton and Vancouver.

Is Canada providing assistance?

Quebec-based pilots are contending with high winds and considerable turbulence as they combat the enormous wildfires sweeping through the Los Angeles region, while Canadians with residences in the area are being compelled to evacuate ahead of the rapidly advancing flames.

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Duclos, chief aviator for the Quebec government’s aerial unit, stated that he spent numerous hours airborne on Tuesday, releasing multiple loads of water over fire-ravaged regions from his aircraft.

“What I observed were houses engulfed in flames, cars ablaze, individuals spraying water on their rooftops, attempting to save their structures, as well as many people on the ground, with firefighters striving to navigate toward the fire’s origin,” he remarked on Wednesday during a video interview.

Duclos, who has been visiting L.A. for 14 years under a government contract, reports that the severe aridity and winds in the area have caused swiftly advancing flames and “extreme” turbulence that have tested their aircraft to the maximum. During refueling, the vast number of planes, along with ground personnel — including civilians escaping the inferno — contribute to an “intense” crisis, he noted.

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The aircraft in the sky includes a couple of Canadian-designed water bombers owned by the Quebec government, as well as helicopters from B.C.-based Coulson Aviation, which the firm claims are “at the forefront” of the battle. Coulson mentioned in a social media update that its teams are “facing high winds and difficult conditions” in the battle against the largest blaze.

Thousands of firefighters were combating several wildfires that had resulted in at least two fatalities and destroyed over 1,000 properties throughout the Los Angeles region as of Wednesday morning, according to the fire chief of Los Angeles County.

Canadians, including Our Lady Peace vocalist Raine Maida and his family, were among more than 70,000 individuals compelled to evacuate their residences. “We’ve evacuated, and our canyon is ablaze,” Maida informed The Canadian Press.

Actor Eugene Levy, another notable Canadian in L.A., shared with the Los Angeles Times that he encountered congested traffic as he tried to leave the area amid “dark and heavy” smoke.

A spokesperson for Quebec’s Transport Department indicated that the two Quebec government aircraft had been engaged since Tuesday.

The Canadian-made CL-415 planes are dispatched to California each autumn as part of a recurring contract that has been in place for over 30 years.

The B.C. Wildfire Service noted that its assistance had not been solicited in California but may “offer support in the coming days.”

More information to follow …

With contributions from The Associated Press and The Canadian Press

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