Wildfires devastate Los Angeles, killing five people and destroying thousands of properties
LOS ANGELES: Violent wildfires have ravaged the Los Angeles area, killing five people and destroying up to 1,500 buildings as firefighters battle to contain the inferno. The fires, fueled by strong winds and extreme drought, forced more than 100,000 residents to evacuate.
Fires break out across the city
- Pacific Palisades Fire:
- Consumes 16,000 acres (6,500 hectares)destroying 1,000 homes and businesses in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
- Famous for its celebrity homes, the area has witnessed fireballs leaping from house to house.
- Altadena Fire:
- Burned 10,600 acres (4,300 hectares)devastating suburban streets and leaving entire neighborhoods in ruins.
- Hollywood Hills Fire:
- Ignited near historic Hollywood Boulevard, prompting evacuation orders near iconic landmarks such as the Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
Overwhelmed firefighters and shortage of resources
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone admitted the department lacked sufficient personnel to handle the simultaneous fires. Fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades have dried up, prompting calls for water conservation. Hollywood’s gridlocked streets further hampered evacuation efforts.
Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin praised the courage of the responders, noting that their actions prevented an even higher death toll.
Political and federal response
- President Joe Biden canceled an international trip to lead federal relief efforts, pledging global support.
- President-elect Donald Trump criticized state policies on social media, falsely blaming environmental laws for water shortages. Experts said most of Los Angeles’ water comes from the Colorado River, with agriculture consuming the majority of the resources.
Economic toll
AccuWeather estimated potential economic losses at $57 billionwith power outages affecting more than 300,000 homes. Utilities took power off lines preemptively to prevent further fires.
Climate crisis and unprecedented conditions
Experts emphasize that although wildfires are natural, they are man-made. climate change and unusual weather conditions have intensified recent fires. Two decades of drought followed by wet years stimulated vegetation growth, creating an abundance of fuel. Meteorologist Daniel Swain noted exceptional drought causing these historic fires, aggravated by winds that could reach 100 miles per hour — the strongest recorded since the 1800s.
Outlook
With zero confinement reported Wednesday, officials expect conditions to worsen. Firefighters are bracing for prolonged battles as California’s fire season stretches to unprecedented lengths.
