Aircraft deployed water and fire retardant on steep hills to curb the eastward progression of the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, as ground firefighting efforts intensified amid warnings of wind gusts reaching 113km/h, which could exacerbate the situation.
At least 16 individuals have now been confirmed dead due to the fires that have ravaged the city, leaving communities devastated and testing the resilience of thousands of firefighters and millions of California residents.
In the past 24 hours, the Palisades Fire has spread by an additional 1,000 acres, as reported by officials, consuming more homes in the process.
Earlier, Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins informed reporters during a press conference that while 11% of the Palisades Fire was contained, it has already burned over 22,000 acres.
The National Weather Service issued warnings of worsening Santa Ana winds, predicting they would strengthen last night and continue today in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with another wave expected late Monday through Tuesday morning, bringing sustained winds of up to 48km/h and gusts of up to 70km/h.
“We are in a prolonged period of critical fire weather through Wednesday,” stated NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld, noting that conditions are expected to improve by Thursday.
Evacuation orders in the Los Angeles area currently affect 153,000 residents, placing 57,000 structures at risk. Another 166,000 residents have been warned that they may have to evacuate, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
However, significant progress has been made in restoring electrical power to Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Monterey County firefighters observed as a Los Angeles County helicopter made a water drop on the Palisades Fire.
Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell announced that approximately 50,000 customers were without power, a significant reduction from over half a million just a few days prior.
Mr. Powell stated that there was no evidence to suggest that Edison’s equipment caused the Hurst fire, but investigations are ongoing.
As state and local officials faced the most severe cluster of fires in Los Angeles history, President Joe Biden communicated with some of them to receive updates on their efforts and was briefed by his senior aides on the federal resources being dispatched.
Mr. Biden’s major disaster declaration has unlocked federal assistance for those impacted by the wildfires, enabling FEMA to provide support.
Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, for instance, were present at the Pasadena Convention Center assisting residents with FEMA aid applications.
FEMA spokesperson Michael Hart mentioned that assistance can take various forms, from funding for home repairs to compensation for lost food or medication, and can be provided within days.
“We aim to ensure initial funding reaches people’s bank accounts to address their urgent needs,” said Mr. Hart.
Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit the county for a firsthand assessment of the damage.
Mr. Luna remarked that his agency had dispatched 40 search and rescue team members to collaborate with other agencies, including using cadaver dogs to search for victims’ remains and help reunite families that have been separated.
“LA County endured another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak,” commented Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
Six simultaneous wildfires have surged through Los Angeles County neighborhoods since Tuesday, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and damaging or destroying 12,000 structures. Currently, at least 13 individuals are presumed missing.
The toll is expected to rise once firefighters can conduct thorough house-to-house searches.
While the fierce Santa Ana winds that fueled the fires eased on Friday night, the Palisades Fire on the city’s western edge changed direction as winds reached from the Pacific Ocean.
This fire, the most destructive in Los Angeles history, has devastated entire neighborhoods, leaving behind only the smoldering remnants of what were once homes and possessions.
Before the latest escalation, firefighters had reported advancement in controlling both the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire in the foothills to the east of the metropolis after days of uncontrollable flames. As of Saturday, the Palisades Fire was reported to be 11% contained while the Eaton Fire was at 15% containment, according to Cal Fire.
California official Don Fregulia stated that managing the Eaton Fire and its aftermath would be a “huge, herculean task” expected to require “many weeks of work.”
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The two major fires combined have consumed over 36,000 acres—approximately 2.5 times the geographical area of Manhattan.
Seven neighboring states, along with the federal government and partners from Canada and Mexico, have mobilized aid and firefighters to California, enhancing aerial teams that are dropping water and fire retardant on the burning hills, as well as ground crews utilizing hand tools and hoses to combat the flames.
Officials have declared a public health emergency due to the heavy, toxic smoke.
Homes have been reduced to ashes.
Residents of Pacific Palisades who returned to their ravaged neighborhoods on Friday were appalled to encounter brick chimneys standing amid charred debris and burnt-out vehicles, with acrid smoke still lingering in the air.
“This was a cherished home,” said Kelly Foster, 44, while sifting through the debris of what was once her house.
Her 16-year-old daughter, Ada, attempted to enter but said, “I just became sick. I just couldn’t even…Yeah, it’s hard.”
Aerial water drops are being conducted near Mandeville.
In Rick McGeagh’s Palisades neighborhood, only six out of 60 homes survived, and the only remnant of his ranch house was a statue of the Virgin Mary.
“Everything else is ash and rubble,” lamented Mr. McGeagh, 61, a commercial real estate broker who raised three children at the home.
On Friday morning, hundreds of individuals gathered in a parking lot near the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena to collect donated clothing, diapers, and bottled water.
Denise Doss, 63, expressed her anxiety about returning to her destroyed home in Altadena to check for salvageable items, but officials prevented her entry due to safety concerns.
“At least I want to say goodbye until we can rebuild. I will let God lead me,” Ms. Doss said.
Estimations indicate billions in losses.
Many residents of Altadena expressed concerns that government resources may disproportionately favor wealthier areas, and that insurers might undervalue those unable to contest denied fire claims.
Beyond those who have lost their homes, tens of thousands remain without power, while millions are exposed to deteriorating air quality as the fires release traces of metals, plastics, and other synthetic materials into the atmosphere.
Private forecaster AccuWeather has assessed the financial damage and economic loss at $135 billion (€138 billion) to $150 billion (€154 billion), indicating a challenging recovery and skyrocketing homeowners’ insurance costs.
Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed.
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara appealed to insurers on Friday to halt any pending non-renewals and cancellations that homeowners received prior to the onset of the fires, as well as to extend the grace period for payments.
President Joe Biden has declared the fires a major disaster, assuring that the US government would fund 100% of recovery efforts for the next six months.
Law enforcement is urging residents to comply with curfews, amidst incidents of arrests for burglary, looting, and the possession of concealed firearms.
“If you violate this curfew, you will face jail time,” warned Mr. Luna.
