US: Palisades Fire Visible From Flights Near LAX As 30,000 Evacuate 4

Huge plumes of smoke were visible from flights arriving and departing from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as a wildfire rapidly spread through Pacific Palisades fueled by Santa Ana winds on Tuesday, January 7. The fire has scorched more than 2,900 acres, prompting the evacuation of nearly 30,000 residents and causing several road closures. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to provide additional support to the affected communities.

US: Palisades Fire Smoke Visible From Flights Near LAX As 30,000 Evacuate 2

Huge plumes of smoke were visible from flights arriving and departing from Los Angeles International Airport as a wildfire rapidly spread through Pacific Palisades fueled by Santa Ana winds on Tuesday, January 7. The fire has scorched more than 2,900 acres, prompting the evacuation of nearly 30,000 residents and causing several road closures. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to provide additional support to the affected communities.

Amami priestesses beckon 'rice soul'

Amami priestesses beckon 'rice soul'

AMAMI, Japan - Priestesses or ''noro'' of a local faith beckon the ''rice soul'' while standing on a rock on the shores of Amamioshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, in a ''Hirase Mankai'' festival to pray for a good harvest on Sept. 13, 2010.

Typhoon moving closer toward Japan's mainland

Typhoon moving closer toward Japan's mainland

AMAMI, Japan - High waves buffet houses in Tatsugo on Amamioshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture on Oct. 7, 2009, as Typhoon Melor moved closer toward Japan's mainland.

Typhoon moving closer toward Japan's mainland

Typhoon moving closer toward Japan's mainland

AMAMI, Japan - High waves buffet houses in Tatsugo on Amamioshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture on Oct. 7, 2009, as Typhoon Melor moved closer toward Japan's mainland.

Powerful Typhoon Chataan heading toward Shikoku

Powerful Typhoon Chataan heading toward Shikoku

TOKYO, Japan - High waves hit Amamioshima Island July 9 as powerful Typhoon Chataan heads north near the island in Kagoshima Prefecture. The typhoon is likely to pass close to the southern part of Shikoku by July 10.

Suspicious ship flees despite Coast Guard's halt order

Suspicious ship flees despite Coast Guard's halt order

TOKYO, Japan - An unidentified ship is seen in a photo taken by the Japan Coast Guard sailing in the East China Sea, 250 kilometers northwest off Amamioshima Island, southwest of the Japanese main island of Kyushu, at 9 a.m. on Dec. 22. Coast guard patrol vessels issued an order to halt, but the ship ignored the order and fled.

(3) Suspicious ship flees despite Coast Guard's halt order

(3) Suspicious ship flees despite Coast Guard's halt order

TOKYO, Japan - An unidentified ship in the East China Sea, 250 kilometers northwest of Amamioshima Island, southwest of the Japanese main island of Kyushu, is seen in a photo taken by the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) at 2:29 p.m. on Dec. 22. A JCG patrol vessel fired shots using a 20-millimeter machine gun and hit the suspicious ship after it failed to stop following a round of warning shots. The ship temporarily stopped after catching fire, but later resumed its flight.

Amami priestesses beckon 'rice soul'

Amami priestesses beckon 'rice soul'

AMAMI, Japan - Priestesses or ''noro'' of a local faith beckon the ''rice soul'' while standing on a rock on the shores of Amamioshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, in a ''Hirase Mankai'' festival to pray for a good harvest on Sept. 13, 2010. (Kyodo)

Typhoon moving closer toward Japan's mainland

Typhoon moving closer toward Japan's mainland

AMAMI, Japan - High waves buffet houses in Tatsugo on Amamioshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture on Oct. 7, 2009, as Typhoon Melor moved closer toward Japan's mainland. (Kyodo)

Typhoon moving closer toward Japan's mainland

Typhoon moving closer toward Japan's mainland

AMAMI, Japan - A tree blocks a road on Amamioshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture on Oct. 7, 2009, after it fell down due to strong winds as Typhoon Melor moved closer toward Japan's mainland. (Kyodo)

Typhoon moving closer toward Japan's mainland

Typhoon moving closer toward Japan's mainland

AMAMI, Japan - High waves buffet houses in Tatsugo on Amamioshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture on Oct. 7, 2009, as Typhoon Melor moved closer toward Japan's mainland. (Kyodo)

(2) Suspicious ship flees despite Coast Guard's halt order

(2) Suspicious ship flees despite Coast Guard's halt order

TOKYO, Japan - An unidentified ship in the East China Sea, 250 kilometers northwest of Amamioshima Island, southwest of the Japanese main island of Kyushu, is seen in a photo taken by the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) at 9 a.m. on Dec. 22. A JCG patrol vessel fired shots using a 20-millimeter machine gun and hit the suspicious ship after it failed to stop following a round of warning shots.

Powerful Typhoon Chataan heading toward Shikoku

Powerful Typhoon Chataan heading toward Shikoku

TOKYO, Japan - High waves hit Amamioshima Island July 9 as powerful Typhoon Chataan heads north near the island in Kagoshima Prefecture. The typhoon is likely to pass close to the southern part of Shikoku by July 10.