"Literally looks like he is reporting from hell" — Internet reacts to Anderson Cooper on field covering the LA wildfires 

According to multiple sources, the LA wildfires broke out in the Hollywood Hills on January 8, 2025, threatening some of the most iconic landmarks and other places in the city. Meanwhile, CNN broadcaster Anderson Cooper has been covering the LA wildfires from ground zero, in a neighbourhood in Altadena, California. He can be seen wearing protective gear and huge glasses while reporting.

Standing amid a burning neighbourhood, Anderson was seen pointing toward the damage the fire caused to the residences in the area. The broadcaster walked across Hariett Street in Altadena while showing houses, cars, and trees that have been set ablaze due to the LA wildfires.

The broadcaster's behind-the-scenes X account @AC360 posted a video of the same on January 9, 2025, and netizens were quick to express their opinions regarding it. Commenting on the visuals of Anderson Cooper's video, an X user tweeted:

"Anderson Cooper quite literally looks like he is reporting from hell. This is nuts."

"anderson cooper must have the best hazard pay in the business." an X user commented .

"Anderson Cooper get TF out of there omg CNN get your man" another X user mentioned.

Moreover, internet users also praised Cooper for reporting about the LA wildfires by putting himself at risk and called out CNN for letting him report from a dangerous place:

"Is CNN trying to sacrifice Anderson Cooper?? They had him on the frontlines during hurricane season and now he’s right in the fire’s lips. Why??" an X user tweeted.

"CNN couldn’t spare for Anderson Cooper to get a fire helmet? He’s literally got embers falling on his uncovered head." a netizen mentioned .

Additionally, a netizen commented on Cooper working hard despite being the child of American author and artist Gloria Vanderbilt:

"I turned on CNN and they got Gloria Vanderbilt's baby out in the middle of the L.A. fires. He is COVERED in soot and smoke. A fire is blazing behind him. I love that he's willing to be doing shit that most people in his position would never do. Honestly, Anderson Cooper might be the hardest working nepobaby of all time."

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More details about the LA wildfires explored

According to a report by AP News dated January 8, 2025, officials are yet to give a number of the structures that underwent damage or were destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire that started on January 7, 2025. However, it was reported that approximately 30,000 residents were under orders of evacuation and over 13000 structures were under threat.

While the exact cause of the fire is still unknown, the LA wildfires in Pacific Palisades allegedly started after the beginning of a Santa Ana windstorm. The National Weather Service had warned that the windstorm could be the strongest to hit Southern California in over a decade, thus being "life-threatening". Additionally, about 40 kilometres northeast, another fire began to spread to over 81 hectares in Altadena by the evening of January 7, 2025, resulting in evacuation orders.

Fire Chief Chad Augustin reported that between 200 to 500 structures have been lost or damaged from the Eaton Fire in Pasadena that began on the night of January 7, 2025. The fire chief added that the water system of the city was overstressed, referring to some of the fire hydrants becoming dry which was further hindered by power cuts.

However, even without the existence of the mentioned issues, it would have been difficult for the firefighters to stop the fire because of the intense winds fanning the flames to spread further.

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As per BBC's report dated January 9, 2025, celebrities like Billy Crystal, James Woods, and Paris Hilton, lost their homes in the LA wildfires. Talking to CNN about losing his property in Pacific Palisades, actor James Woods broke down saying that one day a person could be swimming in the pool and the next day it's gone.

Stay tuned for more updates on the LA wildfires.