Wildfires Erupt in Los Angeles, Leaving Trail of Destruction
On Wednesday of last week, an uncontained fire broke out in the coastal city of Los Angeles, a metropolis of nearly 3.8 million people, leaving a wide path of devastation in its wake. According to US media, the uncontrolled winds are extending the risk of fire and new blazes. In the most affected area, Pacific Palisades, authorities report that approximately 23,713 acres of land, including buildings and properties, have been affected or completely destroyed. The death toll is reported to be 24, with over 100,000 residents forced to evacuate.
The Los Angeles Times summarized the recent developments:
“By Sunday evening, the fire was 13% contained. Evacuation orders or warnings are in place for many parts of the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Santa Monica, Calabasas, Brentwood, and Encino. More than 12,000 buildings are still at risk, with authorities estimating that over 5,300 buildings, including many homes, have been damaged or destroyed.”
Firefighters from the Los Angeles region and the entire state are receiving support from Mexican and Canadian colleagues and relief teams.
The US Weather Service has announced stronger winds for the week, prompting concerns among the emergency responders that the gusts could push the ongoing fires towards further city areas, such as Brentwood.
Residents affected by the disaster are pointing to political reasons and mismanagement by responsible officials, including the Mayor of Los Angeles. Actor James Woods posted on social media, “I’ve been asked to re-post this: Petition – Demand the immediate resignation of LA Mayor Karen Bass” The petition has been signed by over 120,000 people as of January 13.
The “Eaton Fire” broke out on Tuesday night in the San Gabriel Mountains above the community of Altadena, having “consumed more than 7,000 homes and buildings in this closely connected, diverse community, making it one of the most intense wildfires in the history of Los Angeles County” according to CBS News.
The Los Angeles Daily News published a map on its website, based on Google Maps data, showing the largest fire hotspots in the Los Angeles County:
Screenshot: LADN website
According to Cal Fire, the emergency responders will continue to battle small and large blazes in shifts of 24 and 36 hours, and will attempt to extinguish new fires in the early stages. A Cal Fire official told CNN, “We need a break from Mother Nature. A big problem is that with winds of over 30 miles per hour, the water we drop from the air doesn’t reach the ground. The wind blows the water away, and then it spreads embers through the area, starting new fires.”
The LA Times headlined the feared developments:
“Increased winds could lead to an explosive spread of fires in LA County this week”
Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, explained on Sunday, according to the article, “Especially in the night from Monday to Wednesday, there is a possibility that the fire could spread explosively if the winds increase again. If an evacuation order is given, you must follow it immediately. Seconds can save your life.”
According to the Cal Fire website, approximately 40,306 acres of land have been affected and burned in the disaster area, with an estimated 105 fire hotspots and incidents, resulting in over 19,300 firefighting responses. Over 330,000 people in the region are without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
A new interactive map shows the destruction and devastation left by the wildfires in Los Angeles, giving affected residents, after being forced to evacuate, a first glimpse of what remains of their homes.