Wildfires raging across Los Angeles have claimed at least 10 lives and destroyed nearly 10,000 structures, with no signs of slowing down as dry desert winds continue to fan the flames. Five major fires have been burning into a third night, forcing thousands to evacuate and leaving entire neighborhoods in ashes.
The Palisades Fire, situated between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city’s western edge, and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena in the east, have become the most destructive blazes in Los Angeles history. Combined, they’ve consumed over 34,000 acres—about 53 square miles—turning once vibrant communities into desolate landscapes.
Among those fleeing are Hollywood celebrities, some evacuating by car and others on foot, as flames ripped through upscale coastal areas. The death toll rose to 10, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, with officials fearing that number may increase. “It looks like an atomic bomb dropped in these areas,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a press conference. “I don’t expect good news, and we’re not looking forward to those numbers.”
The fires have caused an estimated $135 billion to $150 billion in damage and economic loss, according to private forecaster AccuWeather. This portends a challenging recovery ahead, with soaring homeowners’ insurance costs adding to the burden.
“We’re already looking ahead to aggressively rebuild the city of Los Angeles,” Mayor Karen Bass said. She faced criticism from some over her handling of the disaster, highlighting the political tensions amid the crisis.
President Joe Biden, who declared a major disaster on Tuesday, promised that the federal government would fully support recovery efforts for the next 180 days. “I told the governor, local officials, spare no expense to do what they need to do and contain these fires,” Biden said after meeting with senior advisers at the White House.
Currently, the largest of the fires, the Palisades Fire, is only 6 percent contained, while the Eaton Fire remains completely uncontained. The skies are filled with aircraft dropping water and retardant on the flames, battling to protect homes and lives.
A setback occurred when a large Super Scooper aircraft, on loan from Canada, was damaged after colliding with an unauthorized civilian drone near the Palisades Fire. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, but the aircraft has been grounded, hampering firefighting efforts.
Adding to the crisis, a rapidly growing blaze erupted near Calabasas, one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S. and home to numerous celebrities. Dubbed the Kenneth Fire, it expanded to 960 acres in just a few hours, prompting urgent evacuations.
Amid the chaos, Los Angeles County mistakenly sent an evacuation notice to all 9.6 million residents, instead of just those in the area of the Kenneth Fire. Officials quickly issued a correction, but the error added to the public’s anxiety during an already tense situation.
As firefighters continue to battle the infernos, residents are urged to stay informed and follow official instructions. The path to recovery will be long, but the community’s resilience shines through as neighbors support each other in this time of crisis.
Reference(s):
Los Angeles wildfires devour thousands of homes, at least 10 dead
cgtn.com
