The intense winds that fueled wildfires across parts of Los Angeles finally subsided last night, offering some respite to exhausted firefighters. However, the largest fire has reportedly changed course, leading to new evacuation orders.
Since Tuesday, six wildfires have wreaked havoc on neighborhoods in Los Angeles County, resulting in at least 11 fatalities and damaging or destroying 10,000 structures. This toll is expected to rise as firefighters gain access for house-to-house searches.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Palisades Fire in the western part of the city has shifted direction, necessitating an evacuation order that affects much of the Brentwood neighborhood and the foothills of the San Fernando Valley.
“The Palisades fire has experienced a significant flare-up on its eastern side and continues to advance northeast,” stated LA Fire Department Captain Erik Scott during an interview with local station KTLA, as reported by the LA Times website.
A view of burnt structures at Topanga Beach during the Palisades wildfire
After days of uncontrolled burning, despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters battling the flames both from the air and on the ground, the Palisades Fire was reported to be 8% contained, while the Eaton Fire was at 3%. Prior to yesterday, Cal Fire had listed both fires’ containment levels at 0%.
Nonetheless, these two significant fires have collectively scorched 35,000 acres, which is 2.5 times the area of Manhattan.
As thousands find themselves homeless amid worsening smoke conditions, U.S. officials have declared a public health emergency.
A strict curfew came into effect to deter looting and disorder
Approximately 153,000 individuals remain under evacuation orders, while an additional 166,800 are facing evacuation warnings. A curfew has been instituted across all evacuation zones, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
Neighboring states, the federal government, and Canada have mobilized aid to California, enhancing aerial teams dropping water and fire retardants on the burning hills, as well as ground crews battling the flames with hand tools and hoses.
“Thanks to the increased resources allocated, the region is in a far better position than we were earlier this week,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated during a press briefing.
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Conditions in the Los Angeles area are expected to improve over the weekend, with sustained winds decreasing to approximately 32 km/h, as reported by the National Weather Service, a welcome change from recent gusts reaching 128 km/h.
“With the winds not being as gusty, it should assist firefighters,” said NWS meteorologist Allison Santorelli, emphasizing that conditions remain critical due to low humidity and dry vegetation.
However, forecasters have indicated that another red flag warning may be issued for Monday.
Residents of Pacific Palisades who returned to their devastated neighborhoods were met with the sight of brick chimneys standing over charred debris and burned-out vehicles, all while acrid smoke hung in the air.
“This was a house that was cherished,” Kelly Foster, 44, reflected while sifting through the remains of her home.
Multiple simultaneous wildfires have devastated Los Angeles County neighborhoods
Neighboring states, the federal government, and Canada have extended aid to California.
Smoke billowed from adjacent homes as firefighting planes dropped water in the vicinity.
Ms. Foster’s 16-year-old daughter, Ada, described her attempt to enter their home: “I just became sick. I just couldn’t even… Yeah, it’s hard.”
In Rick McGeagh’s neighborhood in Palisades, only six out of 60 homes survived, leaving a single statue of the Virgin Mary standing amidst the ash and rubble.
“Everything else is ash and rubble,” lamented Mr. McGeagh, 61, a commercial real estate broker, who along with his wife, raised three children at their residence.
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Yesterday morning, hundreds flocked to a parking lot near the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, seeking out donated clothing, diapers, and bottled water.
Denise Doss, 63, expressed her desire to return to her damaged home in Altadena to check for anything salvageable, but officials prevented her from doing so due to safety concerns.
“I just want to say goodbye until we can rebuild. I will let God guide me,” Ms. Doss remarked.
Many residents of Altadena voiced concerns that government assistance would focus on wealthier areas, and that insurance companies might undervalue claims for those unable to contest denials.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimates the damage and economic loss at between $135 billion (€131 billion) and $150 billion.
In addition to those who lost their homes, tens of thousands remain without power, and millions face deteriorating air quality as the fires release traces of metals, plastics, and other synthetic materials into the atmosphere.
AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss to be between $135 billion and $150 billion, signifying a challenging recovery ahead and heightened homeowners’ insurance costs.
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara urged insurers to halt any pending non-renewals and cancellations that homeowners received prior to the fires, as well as to extend the grace periods for payments.
President Joe Biden has classified the fires as a major disaster and announced that the U.S. government would cover 100% of recovery costs for the next six months.
