'A bit apocalyptic': Sylvia Perez's daughter describes chaotic wildfire situation in California
CALIFORNIA - Several wildfires continue to ravage the Los Angeles area, destroying homes and businesses, closing schools, and forcing thousands to evacuate.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has also declared a state of emergency.
The oldest daughter of FOX 32's Sylvia Perez, Iliana, lives in the affected area and shared her firsthand experience.
Massive wildfires ‘a bit apocalyptic’
The first fire broke out Tuesday morning in the Palisades neighborhood – an area that is a hillside location known for its celebrity residences.
A second fire, the Eaton Fire, also started Tuesday morning near Pasadena and claimed the lives of two people, according to officials.
A third blaze, the Hurst Fire, ignited Tuesday night and prompted evacuations in Sylmar. Two additional fires were reported Wednesday morning: the Tyler Fire in Riverside County and the Woodley Fire in Encino.
Iliana told Sylvia Wednesday afternoon that the last 24 hours have been "very unsettling" and that her office is located in the Palisades.
"The one word I could use is a bit ‘apocalyptic.’ It's been very unsettling. My office is out in Santa Monica and so it started yesterday seeing a lot of the flames coming up from our office out in the Palisades," she said.
The fires have also caused heavy smoke to spread across the area. Iliana said the winds are adding to the threat and making it difficult for fire crews to contain the flames.
"We've seen now that the smoke has really come into a lot of different areas in west LA and then on top of it, now that the Pasadena and the Altadena fire has begun, it is really taking over all of LA. Incredibly difficult to see outside. It's very hazy and overall, it's very frightening to be a citizen in LA," Iliana said.
‘Very intense’ winds
The wildfires in California are being pushed by Santa Ana winds, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph in some areas, according to multiple reports.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the worst of the winds were expected between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday.
The strong winds also prevented Los Angeles firefighters from deploying aircraft to help contain the flames.
Iliana said she and other staff members at her office have been battling heavy winds in the Palisades that ultimately led to closing the office.
"We were uncertain what was going to happen. Our doors…closed due to the wind because they were concerned about it blowing off the hinges," she said. "So we were starting our day off going through the back area of the office and then later, last night or early this morning, we got an official notice that the office is closed."
"They have told us not to come back until further notice and we're not sure when that will be at this time," she added.
Iliana, who has lived in the area for over a year, said these winds are unlike anything she’s ever experienced.
"It's the most high-intensity winds I've ever experienced," she said. "It's very intense, incredibly loud."