Two Los Angeles residents shared their frightening experience fleeing a rapidly spreading wildfire that devastated their community, leaving them anxiously awaiting news about their home and business. Eric Robertson and Tricia Cosentino, residents of Palisades Highlands, were among the thousands forced to evacuate on Tuesday as the fire approached. They recounted their urgent departure on "America's Newsroom."
"Fear gripped us, whether we stayed or left," Cosentino shared with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino. "It was incredible how our neighbors rallied together. We decided to leave as a group, forming a sort of caravan. The constant communication, everyone texting and checking on each other's safety until we reached safety, was truly remarkable."
Cosentino expressed deep concern for her community, saying, "Almost everyone I know has been evacuated, and I estimate at least half have lost their homes. I own a business in the village, and I believe the entire block has burned. We watched it happen last night. Many residents, particularly women, own businesses in town, and I'm worried about how many will recover from this."
Three separate wildfires are currently burning across Los Angeles County, impacting the Pacific Palisades and Sylmar neighborhoods of Los Angeles, as well as an area near Pasadena. As of Wednesday morning, containment remained at zero percent, with strong winds preventing the use of aircraft to combat the flames.
Robertson explained how they monitored the fire's progress throughout Tuesday, eventually receiving an evacuation order. "Tricia and her son went down first but were forced to turn back due to smoke, flames flanking the canyon road, and stalled cars. After returning home, we heard the evacuation order was lifted, leaving us unsure of what to do. However, with the intensifying winds and encroaching smoke, we decided to make another attempt to escape."
Over 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders, and by Tuesday evening, more than 200,000 people in Los Angeles County were without power. Officials resorted to bulldozing cars to create access for firefighters, a scene Robertson described as resembling a "war zone."
"Fortunately, after the cars were cleared, police escorted groups of vehicles through the congested area, which was a chaotic scene. We saw the aftermath – dozens of cars pushed aside, burning debris scattered on the ground, fire hoses and roadblocks everywhere," Robertson recounted. "It was devastating to witness familiar landmarks – our schools, grocery store, churches – engulfed in flames as we drove away."
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Margaret Stewart characterized the wildfires as "dynamic and dangerous," emphasizing their continued growth. "We're facing extreme wind conditions, with sustained and gusting winds exceeding 80 mph, reaching hurricane force. Ground efforts alone cannot stop a wind-driven fire like this in this terrain," she stated. Stewart stressed the critical need for aircraft deployment, hampered by the strong winds. She confirmed damage and destruction to multiple structures, injuries to both firefighters and civilians, but could not provide specific numbers at the time.
