Firefighters Use Bulldozers to Clear Roads During Palisades Wildfire
A wildfire raging in the Santa Monica Mountains has led to extreme measures by firefighters, who are bulldozing abandoned vehicles off the roads to access affected areas. According to KTLA, a 300-foot stretch of cars left behind by fleeing residents has created a major obstacle for emergency responders.
Los Angeles is under a state of emergency tonight as high winds fuel the rapidly spreading fire. The situation has forced first responders to remove as many as 200 abandoned vehicles to clear a path for fire engines and other emergency equipment.
The fire, which began on January 7, escalated quickly due to unusually high wind gusts exceeding 80 mph in mountainous areas and the region’s dry winter conditions. The neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, a hilly residential area with limited road access, has been particularly hard hit.
Evacuation orders have led to gridlocked streets, with many residents abandoning their vehicles and fleeing on foot. Despite firefighters urging people to leave cars with keys or move them to the side of the road, numerous vehicles were left stranded, blocking critical routes.
In response, fire crews deployed heavy machinery, including bulldozers, to push the vehicles aside. Dramatic footage shows a red Caterpillar bulldozer clearing cars like an Audi and a Nissan near Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard. As KTLA reporter Gene Kang noted, the screeching sounds of metal against pavement underline the damage being done to the vehicles. Still, these actions are essential to prevent further loss of life and property.
Local residents, including actor Steve Guttenberg, have been working to spread awareness and assist where possible. Firefighters face a long night ahead as they battle this dangerous wildfire, which serves as a grim reminder that wildfires remain one of California’s most pressing challenges.
Source: Car And Driver
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