Wildfires surrounding Los Angeles have claimed the lives of at least ten individuals and have devastated nearly 10,000 structures, with five fires continuing to rage into a third night, as dry desert winds once more intensified the flames.
The Palisades Fire, located between Santa Monica and Malibu on the western side of the city, along with the Eaton Fire in the east near Pasadena, have already become the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles, burning through over 34,000 acres and reducing entire neighborhoods to ash.
The death toll from these wildfires has risen to ten, according to the Medical Examiner’s office in Los Angeles County, which provided an update last night but withheld specifics about the victims.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna mentioned at an earlier press conference that he anticipates the casualty figures to increase.
Aerial footage revealed entire blocks of leveled homes, while satellite images depicted the two main fires encircling the city with thick smoke being blown out over the Pacific Ocean.
In total, five wildfires were burning in Los Angeles County, with the major Palisades Fire only 6% contained and the Eaton fire 0% contained. Aircraft buzzed in the skies, dropping retardant and water onto the flames engulfing the hills.
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According to the LA County Fire Department, a large Super Scooper aircraft borrowed from Canada was damaged and grounded after colliding with an unauthorized civilian drone near the Palisades fire, though there were no injuries reported.
“It looks like an atomic bomb dropped in these areas. I don’t expect positive news, and we’re not looking forward to the updated numbers,” Sheriff Luna stated.
Winds subsided yesterday from the 160km/h gusts experienced earlier in the week, allowing for essential aerial support for ground crews.
However, officials warned that winds had picked up again overnight, with red flag conditions expected to persist until this afternoon.
In the Altadena area, a community characterized by its racial and economic diversity, many residents expressed concerns that government resources might be disproportionately allocated to high-profile regions favored by A-Listers, while insurance companies might shortchange less affluent households that lack the financial resources to contest fire claims.
“They won’t give you the true value of your house… if they do, you really have to fight for it,” lamented Kay Young, 63, as tears welled in her eyes while she gazed at the scorched remnants of a home that had belonged to her family for generations.
Firefighters worked to extinguish hot spots emerging from a house reduced to ashes in the Palisades Fire, situated along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic losses could be between $135 billion and $150 billion, predicting a lengthy recovery ahead and rising homeowners’ insurance premiums.
Southern California Edison has reported receiving notices from insurance companies to preserve evidence connected to the Eaton Fire but noted that no fire agencies have indicated a link between the utility and the blaze.
“We are already planning to aggressively rebuild the city of Los Angeles,” remarked Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, who faced criticism from president-elect Donald Trump and other Republicans for her management of the disaster.
The state’s National Guard was deployed to patrol the impacted areas.
Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the National Guard members are part of a substantial deployment of state personnel.
“We are utilizing all resources available—including our National Guard service members—to safeguard communities in the days ahead,” he declared.
“And to those who might attempt to exploit evacuated communities, let me be clear: looting will not be tolerated.”
The wind swirled embers in the Angeles National Forest near Mt. Wilson.
A home was observed burning amidst the Palisades Fire on Wednesday.
President Joe Biden, who declared a major disaster on Tuesday, assured yesterday that the federal government would cover 100% of recovery costs for the next 180 days to facilitate debris removal, hazard material clearance, temporary shelters, and first responder salaries.
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“I told the governor and local officials to spare no expense in containing these fires,” Mr. Biden mentioned after a meeting with senior advisors at the White House.
A rapidly advancing fire erupted yesterday near Calabasas, one of the wealthiest cities in the United States and home to many celebrities and exclusive communities. The blaze, referred to as the Kenneth Fire, swiftly expanded to 960 acres within hours.
Amid escalating tensions, Los Angeles County unintentionally issued a countywide evacuation notice to its 9.6 million residents, although it was originally intended only for the area affected by the Kenneth Fire. A prompt correction was dispatched.
Some residents of Pacific Palisades returned to areas already ravaged by the fire, where brick chimneys stood in stark contrast to the charred debris and burnt-out vehicles.
Wildfire smoke from the Palisades and Eaton fires enveloped views of downtown Los Angeles.
“We are alive. That’s all that matters,” Bilal Tukhi stated while keeping watch outside his employer’s damaged home, likening the scene to his native, war-torn Afghanistan.
Schools were closed for a second consecutive day due to smoke, ash, and particulate matter contaminating the air, as confirmed by Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
While still strong, winds had decreased since the 160km/h gusts earlier in the week, enabling critical aerial support for ground crews.
Nevertheless, officials cautioned that forecasts indicated worsening winds overnight, with red flag conditions lasting until this afternoon.
The Eaton Fire reached the Mount Wilson Observatory grounds, the site where Edwin Hubble discovered galaxies beyond the Milky Way a century ago, confirming that the flare-up seemed to be under control.
Firefighting crews successfully controlled the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills after flames threatened the ridge overlooking the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame on Wednesday night.
The two largest fires—the Palisades and Eaton fires—formed a vast encirclement around the city, so extensive that it was visible from space.
A beach house was engulfed in flames as the Palisades Fire raged along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.
In Pacific Palisades, once-majestic homes are reduced to ruins, and downed power lines alongside abandoned vehicles clutter the roads.
John Carr, 65, recounted how he disregarded evacuation orders, successfully protecting his home in the process.
“The house was built by my mother and father in 1960, and I’ve lived here my whole life, so there are many memories tied to it. I thought I owed it to them to do my best to save it,” he explained.
Mr. Carr noted that there were no fire crews available to assist in protecting his neighbors’ homes.
“If they had dispatched some fire trucks and just done a little spraying here and there, paying attention to things, all of these houses would still be standing,” he asserted.
Read more:’We have lost everything’: Despair in the Los Angeles fires
The air was thick with the smell of smoke, and residents wearing masks rode bicycles, hoping to catch a glimpse of their damaged properties.
Homes belonging to movie stars and celebrities were among those consumed by the flames.
Chef Jose Andres, recognized for providing free food to disaster victims globally, set up a food truck near the Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway.
“Everyone requires support and compassion in these moments, regardless of wealth,” he expressed.
Actor Jamie Lee Curtis pledged that her family would contribute $1 million to disaster relief efforts.
Firefighters from multiple states across the US and Canada are being mobilized to California, alongside federal personnel and resources.
“To our American neighbors: Canada is here to help,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated, referencing his country’s own challenges with severe wildfires.
