Summary
- Los Angeles faces the worst wildfires in its history.
- Two largest blazes have scorched 34,000 acres (13,750 hectares).
- Death toll rises to 10; 180,000 evacuated; 200,000 under warnings.
- Firefighting efforts supported by diminished winds and aerial resources.
LOS ANGELES - Wildfires ravaging Los Angeles have claimed at least 10 lives and destroyed nearly 10,000 structures, with five active blazes burning into a third consecutive night on Thursday. Although firefighting efforts are bolstered by reduced winds and aerial support, dry desert gusts are regaining strength, further fanning the flames.
The Palisades Fire, situated between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city's western edge, and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena to the east, have already become the most devastating wildfires in Los Angeles history.
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles County have resulted in at least 15 confirmed fatalities.
These fires have also led to the destruction of over more than 5000 structures and forced the evacuation of approximately 100,000 residents.
Earlier, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned the count could rise during a press conference. "It looks like an atomic bomb hit these areas," Luna said. "I don’t expect good news, and we are bracing for those numbers."
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic losses from the wildfires at $135 billion to $150 billion, signaling a challenging recovery and a likely surge in homeowners' insurance premiums.
Southern California Edison announced on Thursday that it had received preservation notices from insurance companies regarding the Eaton Fire. However, fire agencies have not indicated any link between the utility and the blaze.
"We are already focused on aggressively rebuilding the city of Los Angeles," said Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, who has faced criticism from President-elect Donald Trump and other Republicans for her management of the disaster.
President Joe Biden, who declared a major disaster on Tuesday, pledged on Thursday that the federal government would cover 100% of recovery costs for the next 180 days. This includes funding for debris and hazardous material removal, temporary shelters, and first responder salaries.
"I told the governor and local officials to spare no expense in doing what’s needed to contain these fires," Biden said after a meeting with senior advisers at the White House.
Five wildfires are currently burning in Los Angeles County. The largest, the Palisades Fire, is just 6% contained, while the Eaton Fire remains completely uncontained. Aircraft buzzed over the skies, deploying fire retardant and water to combat the flames.
A Super Scooper aircraft on loan from Canada was grounded after colliding with an unauthorized civilian drone near the Palisades Fire, the L.A. County Fire Department reported. Fortunately, no injuries occurred.
A new, rapidly growing fire broke out on Thursday near Calabasas, a wealthy city home to numerous celebrities and gated communities. The Kenneth Fire expanded to 960 acres (388 hectares) within hours.
Adding to the chaos, Los Angeles County mistakenly issued an evacuation alert to all 9.6 million residents instead of limiting it to the area affected by the Kenneth Fire. Officials quickly sent a correction to clarify the error.
'WE ARE ALIVE'
Officials reported that the Eaton Fire has damaged or destroyed between 4,000 and 5,000 structures, while the Palisades Fire has affected another 5,300 structures.
In Pacific Palisades, some residents cautiously returned to areas already ravaged by the fires, where brick chimneys stood as haunting remnants above heaps of charred debris and scorched vehicles.
"We are alive. That's all that matters," said Bilal Tukhi, a private security guard keeping watch outside his employer's damaged home. The devastation, he remarked, reminded him of scenes from his war-torn homeland of Afghanistan.
Schools were closed for a second consecutive day on Friday due to hazardous air quality, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced.
While winds subsided on Thursday from the earlier 100-mile-per-hour (160-kph) gusts, allowing critical aerial support for ground crews, they intensified again overnight. Officials warned that red flag conditions would persist until Friday afternoon.
In Altadena, a diverse community nearby, many residents expressed concerns to Reuters about the allocation of government resources. They feared aid would prioritize high-profile areas favored by celebrities, while less affluent households might face challenges from insurance companies reluctant to fully cover fire claims.
"They’re not going to give you the value of your house ... and if they do, you really have to fight for it," said Kay Young, 63, her eyes filling with tears as she gazed at the smoldering remains of a home that had been in her family for generations.
Post a Comment