A series of massive wildfires continues to sweep through the Los Angeles area, forcing more than 30,000 people to leave their homes in search of safety, according to reports from Reuters.

Key developments:

9:10 AM EST: Evacuating more than 30,000 people

Large fires broke out in the luxurious "Pacific Palisades" neighborhood, which is home to many celebrities, as well as other fires in scattered areas. The fires have destroyed numerous buildings and burned nearly 3,000 acres in Pacific Palisades.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency with forecasts of worsening weather conditions that could exacerbate the spread of the fires.

8:50 AM: Testimonies from survivors

Shirice Wallace, a resident of the area, shared her story with the Associated Press, stating she did not realize a fire was occurring until she received a call from her sister at the same moment a helicopter dropped water over her house.

She said, "I thought it was rain, but my sister yelled: No, your neighborhood is burning, and you need to leave immediately."

She added: "As soon as I opened the door, the fire was right in front of me. The winds were so strong that they pushed me back. But I was able to leave in time."

8:30 AM: Winds worsen the situation

Wind speeds reached 112 kilometers per hour overnight, and are expected to reach 160 kilometers per hour in mountainous areas, according to the National Weather Service in Los Angeles.

The service warned that these winds could make this storm one of the most destructive since 2011.

8:00 AM: Intensive firefighting efforts

More than 1,400 firefighters are participating in battling the fires, with additional support being sent from Northern California.

California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on the platform X thanking the firefighters, stating: "Thank you to the rescue teams who quickly joined the efforts to extinguish these fires."

Current situation

The fires continue to spread amid strong winds and prolonged drought, making control a significant challenge, while relief efforts continue to shelter those affected and ensure their safety.