Los Angeles Wildfires Claim 24 Lives, Threaten Renewed Fury as Winds Return
At least 24 people have perished in a series of devastating wildfires that continue to ravage Los Angeles County, Al Jazeera reports, citing officials.
The blazes, which have been burning for six consecutive days, have reduced neighborhoods to ash, leveled homes, and forced over 100,000 residents to evacuate, painting a grim picture of destruction across the region.
Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the infernos, battling against time as forecasters predict the return of strong Santa Ana winds that could reignite the blazes and further spread the devastation.
According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, eight of the victims died in the Palisades Fire, which has been tearing through the western part of the city. The remaining sixteen fatalities occurred in the Eaton Fire, burning in the foothills to the east. Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed that at least 16 people remain missing – 12 within the Eaton Fire zone and four from the Palisades Fire – and emphasized that there are no children among those still unaccounted for.
The wildfires have wrought widespread devastation. The Palisades Fire has consumed 23,713 acres, or 37 square miles, and is currently 11% contained. The Eaton Fire has scorched another 14,117 acres, or 22 square miles, with containment standing at 27%. Aerial firefighters, some scooping water from the Pacific Ocean, along with land crews wielding hand tools and hoses, have been working around the clock to hold the fire lines.
While firefighters gained a brief respite this weekend as the Santa Ana winds eased, the National Weather Service has issued a warning for the return of these dangerous winds, with gusts expected between 50 and 70 mph, starting Sunday night and continuing through Wednesday. The return of these dry winds is a major concern as the region has not received any significant rainfall since April, creating extremely volatile conditions. Officials have warned the entire population of Los Angeles County, which is close to 10 million people, that anyone may be ordered to evacuate.
The economic impact of the wildfires is staggering. Private forecaster AccuWeather estimates the damage and economic losses to fall between $135 billion and $150 billion. California Governor Gavin Newsom has said that the fires are likely to be the worst natural disaster in US history “in terms of just the costs associated with it.” He has signed an executive order to temporarily suspend environmental regulations for destroyed homes and businesses to expedite rebuilding efforts.
President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster, triggering the release of federal funds and support through FEMA. FEMA spokesperson Michael Hart said support can range from funding for home repairs to assistance for replacing lost food or medication, and that funds would be provided within days.
However, the disaster response has not been without criticism. President-elect Donald Trump has criticized local and state officials for what he views as a poor handling of the situation. Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger responded by inviting Trump, who takes office on January 20, to visit the county and assess the devastation firsthand.
