By COLlive reporter
A rapidly spreading wildfire erupted in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on Tuesday, prompting the evacuation of approximately 30,000 residents.
The blaze, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds with gusts up to 60 mph, has scorched over 2,900 acres and continues to threaten thousands of structures, CNN reported.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has deployed over 250 firefighters to combat the blaze, but intense winds have grounded aircraft, complicating containment. Evacuation orders have caused traffic congestion, leading some residents to flee on foot.
In response to the crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, and President Joe Biden has offered federal assistance.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings about the extreme wildfire threat, predicting that the dangerous windstorm will continue through Wednesday.
The Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades, located at 17315 West Sunset Boulevard, is within the affected area.
ABC News in Los Angeles reported that the “Jewish community center burns down in Pacific Palisades fire.”
In a post on social media, Chabad Lubavitch HQ wrote:
Chabad reps have been helping seniors evacuate as wildfires raced through Pacific Palisades, California.
The fate of the Chabad House itself remains unclear, as live feeds showed flames licking at outbuildings on the property.
Linsey Davis of ABC News spoke with Rabbi Zushe Cunin about the damage to the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades. They managed to rescue all sifrei Torah, but had lost Menorahs and other valuables.
“Thankfully, we evacuated our over 100 children at our early childhood center earlier, and we’re in touch with all the families,” Rabbi Cunin said.
“We’re connecting many of the people who still need assistance with the first responders, and they’ve been responding and connecting with them,” he said. “We’re so grateful to the outpouring of love of so many all throughout the community and throughout the world.”
VIDEO:
May everyone stay safe and out of harms way. We need the Geula Shleima immediately
I spoke to my family members in California and I will say it on COL be safe, only good things, the most important thing is we want Moshaich now
SAVES TORAH LIVES