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.

Tokyo gov't inspects Senkaku Islands

Tokyo gov't inspects Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI, Japan - Photo shows a Tokyo metropolitan government team shortly after conducting an offshore inspection of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Sept. 2, 2012, with Kitakojima (L) and Minamikojima (R), part of the island group, shown in the background. The inspection was part of the metropolitan government's plan to buy land on the isles amid a growing territorial row with China over the uninhabited islets. (Pool photo)

Tokyo gov't inspects Senkaku Islands

Tokyo gov't inspects Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI, Japan - Photo shows birds on Kitakojima Island, part of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Sept. 2, 2012. A Tokyo metropolitan government team the same day conducted an offshore inspection of the islands as part of its plan to buy land on them amid a growing territorial row with China over the uninhabited islets.

Tokyo gov't inspects Senkaku Islands

Tokyo gov't inspects Senkaku Islands

ISHIGAKI, Japan - Photo shows a Tokyo metropolitan government team conducting an offshore inspection near Kitakojima Island, part of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Sept. 2, 2012, as part of its plan to buy land on the isles amid a growing territorial row with China over the uninhabited islets.

Local gov't to apply for landing on Senkaku islands

Local gov't to apply for landing on Senkaku islands

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in June 2011 shows (from front to back) Minamikojima Island, Kitakojima Island and Uotsuri Island, part of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The Tokyo metropolitan government will soon seek permission from the national government to send a party to the disputed islands, parts of which it plans to buy from a Japanese owner, a senior metropolitan government official said July 18, 2012.

Japan gov't planning to buy disputed isles

Japan gov't planning to buy disputed isles

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in June 2011 shows (from L to R) Minamikojima Island, Kitakojima Island and Uotsuri Island, part of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The Japanese government is planning to buy some of the disputed islands, also claimed by China and Taiwan, from a private owner in a bid to increase its control over the islands, government sources said July 7, 2012.

Japan gov't planning to buy disputed isles

Japan gov't planning to buy disputed isles

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in June 2011 shows (from front to back) Minamikojima Island, Kitakojima Island and Uotsuri Island, part of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The Japanese government is planning to buy some of the disputed islands, also claimed by China and Taiwan, from a private owner in a bid to increase its control over the islands, government sources said July 7, 2012.

Senkaku islands

Senkaku islands

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in June 2011 shows three islands of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, (from front to back) Minamikojima, Kitakojima and Uotsuri Island.

Disputed Senkaku Islands

Disputed Senkaku Islands

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in June 2011 shows (from front to back) Minamikojima Island, Kitakojima Island and Uotsuri Island (back) of the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. China and Taiwan also claim sovereignty over the islands.

Senkaku islands

Senkaku islands

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in June 2011 shows three islands of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, (from front to back) Minamikojima, Kitakojima and Uotsuri Island. (Kyodo)

Disputed Senkaku Islands

Disputed Senkaku Islands

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in June 2011 shows (from front to back) Minamikojima Island, Kitakojima Island and Uotsuri Island (back) of the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. China and Taiwan also claim sovereignty over the islands. (Kyodo)