Lead of a news story

Here's a potential lead for a news story:

"Breaking: A devastating wildfire has swept through the small town of Oakdale, California, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. The blaze, which began early yesterday morning, has already consumed over 1,000 acres of land and has forced the evacuation of nearly 5,000 residents. Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the fire, but officials say it's a 'highly unpredictable' situation and that the town's future is hanging in the balance."

This lead aims to grab the reader's attention by:

• Using a sense of urgency with the phrase "Breaking"
• Providing a vivid and dramatic description of the situation
• Highlighting the scale of the disaster with specific numbers (1,000 acres, 5,000 residents)
• Creating a sense of uncertainty and danger with the phrase "highly unpredictable"
• Ending with a sense of stakes, emphasizing the potential consequences for the town and its residents.