Passengers describe ‘tense’ flight over Southern California wildfires
One passenger described the chilling moment ‘the heat inside the aircraft started to rise, and the smoke smell filled the cabin’
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Your support makes all the difference.Passengers on board a flight that flew over the rapidly spreading Palisades California Fire have described the terrifying moment smoke fumes filled the cabin mid-air.
As they gazed down Tuesday at the roaring flames below, more than 30,000 residents were being forced to evacuate their homes as the wildfire raged over roughly 3,000 acres at zero percent containment, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Now more than 150,000 people have been forced to evacuate as the fires tear up 27,000 acres. At least five people have been killed.
Tai Wright, from North Hollywood, was aboard American Airlines Flight 2597 heading from Dallas Fort Worth toward Hollywood Burbank Airport Tuesday when her plane was diverted as it was due to land, she told Newsweek.
Wright also captured the nail-biting moment her flight soared above the flames.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as flames erupted across half a dozen communities.
Casualties have since been confirmed as the fire continues to grow, say the LAFD.
Describing the tense moment she felt the force of the fires, Wright told Newsweek: “We were making our descent at the time of the photos. Right after taking them, the heat inside the aircraft started to rise, and the smoke smell filled the cabin.”
“The general mood of the flight got very tense and quiet up until we landed some 20 to 30 minutes afterward”, she added.
More than 3,000 acres are ablaze in the Pacific Palisades fire, over 1,000 in the Eaton Fire through Altadena, Pasadena, Arcadia, and Sierra Madre, and flames have stretched across 500 acres in the Hurst Fire in Sylmar, according to LA fire officials.
Wright described the landing as “rocky” as she and those on board her flight felt the aircraft swaying and turning in multiple directions up until the wheels touched the tarmac.
“Everyone on board applauded with good reason after we touched [the] ground”, she added.
Emotions were high as passengers watched down in disbelief at the flames. Wright said she could feel the adrenaline rushing through her body and it wasn’t until she arrived home, that she “finally cried it out”, as per the outlet.
Mark Viniello had been on board a United Airlines flight from Denver to Burbank when his plane was diverted to Los Angeles International Airport Tuesday night.
Viniello captured the inferno with the city lights visible in the background on video, as shared by Newsweek.
Multiple airline carriers are reported to have diverted planes in California as California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency.
The Independent contacted American Airlines and United Airlines for comment.
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