Woman living in LA explains devastating reason why evacuating Palisades amid wildfires isn't as easy as you might think

With Los Angeles residents reportedly abandoning their vehicles in a bid to escape from the threat of raging wildfires, onlookers have been wondering how this could possibly be the best means of evacuation.

Now, one TikToker local to the badly affected Palisades area has given a behind-the-scenes look at the controversial evacuation procedures.

Over 30,000 Americans have been forced out of their homes since a 1,200 acre bushfire broke out earlier this week (7 Jan).

After beginning in the inland foothills of north-east LA, the dry conditions and abnormally high temperatures have enabled the flames to spread rapidly, wiping of hundreds of homes in the Palisades area.

Earlier today, Tyla reported that The Hills stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt's had seen their family home get tragically destroyed in the disaster, with countless other big-name celebrities having to pack up their belongings and flea from the fire.

The most recent update given by local authorities was made a matter of minutes ago, with a spokesperson from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection telling press there is 'no possibility' of yet bringing the out-of-control fires to a halt.

David Acuna told CNN: "[We are] mostly concerned with ensuring that all people get out of the area because life safety is the most important part, and we're helping plan to that their pets and livestock also have a safe shelter."

Evacuation from the most threatened areas of the Palisades hasn't been plain-sailing, however - and today, one TikToker has explained why.

Tabitha Snavely - a social media star local to the endangered neighbourhood - shared a clip which has since gone viral online, revealing that the Palisades' lack of connection to a major motorway (a 'freeway', in the States), has resulted in major delays.

"Something I find really interesting about the Palisades fire that other people may not know," she began. "Is that it's extremely hard to evacuate the Palisades because there is no direct connection to a freeway."

Snavely continued: "You have to go north to Malibu to get to the 101, you have to go east to Brentwood to get the 405. The 405 is like 25 minutes to my apartment - it's not quick and easy. I have to be able to go down to Santa Monica to get to the 10.

"You can't get to the freeway in 10 minutes. It's going to take you at least 20 minutes to get to any freeway, so it's making it a lot harder for people to evacuate."

The TikToker also went on to explain that the Palisades roads only boast two lanes for drivers to use - including on the famous Sunset Boulevard - adding that she saw residents of the area 'abandoning their cars' when the fire began encroaching.

"There's been fire on the firewalk, so if the fire is coming up underneath your car, you're going to have to abandon it."

In the comments to the eye-opening video, viewers have taken the opportunity to ask other important questions.

"So when they abandon their cars what are their methods for fleeing at that point?," one asked, to which another replied, "To run away from the fire."

A third also noted in the comments: "ITS A MAZE in the Palisades!"

Another penned: "When fire is raging towards the coast and you live on coast it leaves very few escape routes. Hopefully most evacuated early enough to be safe."