Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face potential evacuation from their £23 million Montecito mansion as devastating wildfires sweep through Southern California.
The couple’s affluent neighbourhood has been placed under a red flag warning amid fears of explosive fire growth across the region.
Local fire officials have warned residents to be ready to evacuate as forecasted 70mph hurricane-force winds threaten to cause fires to grow rapidly and behave erratically.
The warning comes just days after Harry and Meghan opened their doors to friends and loved ones fleeing the fires.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face potential evacuation from their £23 million Montecito mansion as devastating wildfires sweep through Southern California.
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The deadly wildfires have already claimed 24 lives and scorched more than 40,000 acres across Los Angeles.
Firefighters are currently battling four active blazes, including the massive Palisades Fire which has burned through 23,000 acres and remains only 14 per cent contained.
The Eaton Fire near Pasadena has consumed over 14,000 acres and is one-third contained, whilst the smaller Hurst Fire is nearly under control.
A new blaze, dubbed the Auto Fire, erupted Monday night in Ventura County, rapidly spreading to 56 acres amid strong wind gusts of up to 30mph.
The couple’s affluent neighbourhood has been placed under a red flag warning amid fears of explosive fire growth across the region.
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The Duke and Duchess have shown support for fire victims through their Archewell Foundation, making donations to relief efforts.
The couple recently served meals to survivors alongside the wife of Governor Gavin Newsom.
Now, just four days after helping others escape the inferno, the Sussexes themselves may be forced to flee their sprawling nine-bedroom home.
The red flag warning currently extends from Ventura County through to inland areas of San Diego County, affecting much of southern California.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has warned that winds are predicted to reach “close to hurricane-force level”, with urgent preparations underway across the area.
The Duke and Duchess have shown support for fire victims through their Archewell Foundation, making donations to relief efforts.
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A large swathe of Southern California around Los Angeles remains under extreme fire danger warning through Wednesday.
The warning covers densely populated areas including Thousand Oaks, Northridge and Simi Valley.
State authorities are taking precautionary measures by pre-positioning firefighting crews in Los Angeles and other Southern California counties facing elevated fire danger.
Additional water tankers and firefighting reinforcements arrived in the Los Angeles area on Monday ahead of the predicted wind surge.
More than 8,500 firefighters are currently engaged in the battle against the blazes, conducting both aerial and ground operations.
