For four days, a terrifying wildfire has been raging through the forests of Los Angeles, consuming numerous homes in its path. Roads are obstructed. The tragedy has claimed 11 lives so far. Firefighters report some progress in controlling the fire but warn that strong winds might reignite the flames, potentially worsening the situation. The catastrophic blaze has demolished thousands of homes in affluent areas of Los Angeles and has spread to the Hollywood Hills.
Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County described the calamity to the media, saying, 'About 10,000 homes and structures are damaged, resembling a scene of a nuclear bomb drop.' He fears the fatality count might increase and admits there's scant hope for good news at present. As per the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 6 percent of the blaze in the Palisades area has been brought under control, but the Eaton fire remains relentless.
Also read: Burning Hollywood! See photos of how wildfire has engulfed areas near Los Angeles forests
In Kenneth, the wildfire has scorched approximately 960 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura County. Firefighters have gained 35 percent control over the area. Joint fire-fighting efforts in Hearst and Lydia have reported progress, with 37 percent containment achieved in Hearst and 75 percent in Lydia. Winds hitting 100 mph exacerbated the situation in Los Angeles. When the wind velocity decreased, rescue teams could deploy helicopters more effectively for water drops.
Source: aajtak
Also read: US President Joe Biden cancels Italy trip, gathers updates on Los Angeles forest fires
Despite calmer winds at night, officials predicted worsening fire conditions by Friday noon (Saturday, Indian time) in Los Angeles and parts of Southern California. Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley warned it would become harder to manage the wildfire due to strong winds. 'We are not out of danger yet,' she cautioned. President Joe Biden declared the wildfire in Los Angeles a major disaster two days ago.
Source: aajtak
Following a meeting with senior advisors at the White House, Biden stated, 'I've told the governor and local officials to take every necessary step to manage the fire. No stone should be left unturned.' Power outages impacted approximately 100,000 homes and businesses in Los Angeles. Economic losses due to the fire are estimated to range from $135 billion to $150 billion. Smoke from the wildfire heavily polluted the air, leading to the closure of schools in Los Angeles.
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The wildfire has destroyed homes of many celebrities, including Paris Hilton and Mel Gibson. Sheriff Robert Luna mentioned that around 153,000 people were urged to evacuate from affected areas, while another 166,800 were advised to be prepared for immediate evacuation. A curfew is imposed in all evacuation zones. Meanwhile, a person has been detained on suspicion of arson in connection with the Kenneth Wildfire. However, a fire department official informed the BBC that there's no conclusive evidence indicating the fire was deliberate.
During this emergency, the Los Angeles Police reported at least 20 arrests for looting. To enforce curfews in affected areas, the Los Angeles Police are collaborating with the California National Guard. Firefighters from other US states and Canada have been dispatched to California with essential equipment.
