'We need to get out of here!' Palisades residents describe flight from inferno

In the affluent area of Pacific Palisades, California, residents are facing a terrifying situation as wildfires rage nearby. David Latt, a local resident, shared his experience of having only ten minutes to prepare for evacuation. He and his wife quickly gathered important documents and cherished family photographs before they found themselves stuck in a two-hour traffic jam while trying to escape the approaching flames. David explained that he was unaware of the fires until a neighbor alerted him. When he stepped outside, he was shocked to see a large plume of black smoke rising from a hill just four blocks away. It was then that he realized, 'Oh, we need to get out of here! ' He emphasized the importance of having a 'grab-and-go bag' ready, filled with essential items like passports and other important papers. David wanted to ensure they had all the necessary receipts for their taxes, along with as many family photos and pieces of artwork as they could fit into their two cars. After packing their most important belongings, he took a moment to film the wildfires from his roof and check the wind direction. When he noticed the wind blowing towards them, he knew it was time to leave. With only one road leading in and out of their area, they found themselves stuck in traffic for two hours as they attempted to flee. Pacific Palisades is a beautiful neighborhood with winding roads and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, but the threat of the wildfires loomed large. There are three significant fires burning around Los Angeles, including the Palisades fire. David is uncertain about the fate of his home and believes they may not have answers for at least a day. The forecast predicts extremely high winds later that night, which could exacerbate the situation and lead to more fires in the area. David expressed his concern, stating, 'What we know from experience is that even though the firefighters are doing a remarkable job in putting out areas of fire, some sparks remain. The wind picks it up and carries the embers, which can travel across the street or even a mile away. That's what the concern is in LA tonight. ' Despite the frightening circumstances, he found some comfort in seeing firefighting aircraft in the sky, which gave him hope. As the fire approached, firefighters urged residents to exit their vehicles. The winds were fierce, sometimes exceeding 100 miles per hour. Marsha Horowitz, another resident, recounted how the fire was dangerously close to the cars. Many celebrities also had to evacuate, including Eugene Levy, an actor known for his role in Schitt's Creek. He described the smoke as dark and intense, although he couldn't see any flames. While David and his wife managed to reach safety, a sense of unease has settled over the community as the wildfires continue to rage on the outskirts of the city. The strong winds have caused destruction, forcing over 30,000 people to evacuate their homes. Additionally, at least 50,000 homes have lost power, leaving residents in affected neighborhoods driving around in search of a signal to make calls or connect to the internet. Many are unsure of what to do next. They worry that if they go to sleep, they might miss the warning to evacuate. Some can see flames from their homes but are uncertain if they are close enough to leave. Families with children and pets are particularly anxious, not knowing where to go for safety. Amrita Khalid, a journalist living in Santa Monica, also faced evacuation. She described her morning as normal until she noticed large clouds of black smoke while walking home from the gym. Realizing the danger, she decided to leave her home for a safer location. A photo of her neighborhood confirmed her decision, showing a bright red sky that looked like Mars. 'I'm kind of glad I left. I think better be safe than sorry,' she said. The wildfires are a serious threat, and everyone is hoping for safety and a resolution to the crisis.