In a tragic turn of events, a series of devastating wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. At least 24 people have lost their lives, and over 12,000 structures, including homes and businesses, have been destroyed.
The fires, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, have forced mass evacuations and caused widespread disruption across the region.
Los Angeles Battles Devastating Wildfires, 12,000 Structures Lost
In the Los Angeles region, which spans an area larger than San Francisco, fires have damaged over 12,000 buildings, caused thousands to evacuate, and claimed at least 24 lives.
The fires, which began last Tuesday, were driven by strong Santa Ana winds expected to continue through midweek. Cal Fire reported that the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires have scorched approximately 160 square kilometres.
Although the source of the fires is yet unknown, preliminary estimates indicate that they may end up being the most expensive in American history. According to AccuWeather’s first estimates, the economic losses and damage might be anywhere between USD 135 billion and USD 150 billion.
The flames have threatened and destroyed several densely populated neighborhoods, including Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
Over 700 people are seeking shelter in nine institutions out of the approximately 150,000 people who have been evacuated. According to Cal Fire, the Eaton Fire was 27% contained as of Sunday, while the Palisades Fire was 11% contained.
As of Sunday morning, nearly 70,000 customers in California were without power, with over half in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us. Officials reported significant damage to sewer, water, and power infrastructure across the region.
Red flag warnings are issued as Santa Ana winds stoke wildfires.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for hazardous fire conditions through Wednesday and said that strong Santa Ana winds could return soon. Since there hasn’t been any substantial rainfall in more than eight months, the winds have been primarily held responsible for converting the flames into infernos that destroyed entire neighborhood’s throughout the city.
Hollywood celebrities Billy Crystal and Mandy Moore, as well as head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers, are among the thousands who have left and more who have lost their houses.
The fires destroyed a sanctuary in Altadena for generations of Black families fleeing discriminatory housing practices elsewhere, even though they also razed several Hollywood monuments and celebrity residences to ashes. Many residents of these diverse racial and economic neighborhoods’ are home owners.
The fires have destroyed several places of worship, including a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic parish and a half-dozen Protestant churches.
Investigators rule out lightning
The National Fire Protection Association discovered no trace of lightning in the Palisades region or the vicinity of the Eaton Fire, which started in east Los Angeles County, despite the fact that lightning is the most frequent source of wildfires in the United States.
Now, investigators are concentrating on the next two most likely causes: power line-sparked fires and intentionally started fires.
A number of events have been postponed and cancelled in the interim. The Sunday festivities for the Critics Choice Awards were moved to January 26 in Santa Monica.
The Academy Award nominations voting period was prolonged, and the scheduled nominations announcement for next week was postponed by the Oscar organizing body.
The NFL moved the Los Angeles Rams’ wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings to Arizona because of the fires. The game will be played Monday night. And the NBA postponed the Lakers’ game against the Hornets.
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Monday night marks the return of NBA games to Los Angeles, with the Lakers facing the San Antonio Spurs and the Clippers hosting the Miami Heat. The Clippers’ home game against Charlotte on Saturday was postponed, so this will be their first game in five days. The Lakers had two home games pushed back.
335 schools closed, mayor faces criticism
The closure of 335 schools in the counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, and San Diego was announced by the California Department of Education on Wednesday; the closures for Monday are still pending.
Meanwhile, LA Mayor Karen Bass is facing growing criticism over leadership failures as the city navigates its most significant crisis in decades. Allegations of political blame and investigations are emerging.
California Governor Gavin Newsom directed state officials on Friday to investigate why a 440 million-litre reservoir was out of service and several hydrants ran dry.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley stated that the city’s leadership failed her department by not allocating enough funds for firefighting and criticized the shortage of water.
FAQs:
What caused the Los Angeles fires?
- The fires were likely fueled by a combination of factors, including strong winds, dry conditions, and potentially human-caused ignitions.
How many people have been affected by the fires?
- At least 24 people have lost their lives, and thousands have been displaced from their homes.
What is the extent of the damage?
- Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed, including homes, businesses, and other buildings.
What is being done to fight the fires?
- Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the blazes, with assistance from local, state, and federal agencies.
How can people help those affected by the fires?
- Donations to local relief organizations, volunteering at shelters, and offering support to those who have lost their homes are some ways to help.
