Wildfires Rage in Los Angeles, Destruction and Devastation Unfold
The city of Los Angeles, with a population of nearly 4 million, is still reeling from the devastating wildfires that have engulfed the region. Authorities have reported that the destruction has reached an unprecedented scale, with over 8,000 hectares of land in the Pacific Palisades area severely affected.
At least 10 people have lost their lives, with a higher death toll feared. The fires, which broke out on Wednesday, have left a trail of destruction, with over 9,000 buildings in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas damaged or destroyed.
The famous Sunset Boulevard, a major thoroughfare between Hollywood and Beverly Hills, was briefly evacuated, but the order has since been lifted.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has come under fire for his handling of the crisis, with critics accusing him of not fulfilling his promises to improve disaster preparedness and response. Newsom vetoed a bill in 2022 that would have allowed Cal Fire to retain seasonal firefighters, leading to the layoff of thousands of firefighters, which has been criticized as a “dereliction of duty.”
The Los Angeles County Police Chief, Robert Luna, described the scene as “like an atomic bomb had hit the area.”
As the city struggles to contain the fires, a new blaze, the Kenneth Fire, has broken out in the West Hills and Hidden Hills area, forcing thousands of people to evacuate.
Celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, and Billy Crystal, have been affected by the fires, with many forced to flee their homes. Over 180,000 people remain under evacuation orders.
President Joe Biden has announced a significant federal aid package to support California in its efforts to combat the devastating wildfires, which he described as “the largest and most destructive in California’s history.