Los Angeles Wildfires Claim Lives, Destroy Thousands of Homes Amidst New Blaze
Devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area have left a trail of destruction, claiming at least 10 lives and incinerating some 10,000 homes and structures, Al Jazeera reports.
As fire crews struggled to contain existing blazes, a third fire erupted, forcing the evacuation of thousands more residents.
The latest wildfire, dubbed the Kenneth Fire, broke out in West Hills within the San Fernando Valley on Thursday afternoon. This new blaze comes as firefighters continue to battle the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have already caused widespread damage.
The death toll climbed to at least 10 by 9 PM local time, a grim increase from seven reported earlier in the day, according to the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner. The Palisades and Eaton fires have each destroyed over 5,000 structures, including homes, vehicles, and outbuildings. Together, these two fires have consumed more than 30,000 acres of land, according to Cal Fire.
Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County had earlier predicted a rise in the death toll. Currently, nearly 180,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders, while an additional 200,000 residents are under evacuation warnings.
The devastating impact of the fires is being felt throughout the region. PowerOutage.us reports that over 285,000 residents in Southern California are without electricity. Water and sewage infrastructure have also sustained significant damage, compounding the crisis.
Affluent communities like Malibu and Pacific Palisades have been particularly hard hit, with dozens of blocks reduced to ash since the fires began on Tuesday. The fires ignited amidst high winds exceeding 70 mph. Though winds dropped temporarily, the National Weather Service has issued warnings for increasing winds expected later on Thursday.
Among the victims, several celebrities including James Woods, Paris Hilton, and Billy Crystal have reportedly lost their homes.
The cause of the fires remains under investigation. While lightning is a common cause of wildfires, there were no reports of lightning in the vicinity at the time the blazes began. Investigators are also considering other possible sources such as intentionally set fires and power lines.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed the state’s National Guard at the request of the LA County Sheriff’s Department to aid in rescue efforts and maintain order amid reports of looting.
US President Joe Biden has pledged that the federal government will cover 100% of California’s recovery costs for the next 180 days. Biden expressed hope that the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has been critical of Newsom and Bass’s handling of the disaster, would continue to provide essential support to the state.
