Los Angeles: Authorities have issued additional evacuation orders across the Los Angeles area as another wildfire erupted on Thursday, intensifying the already severe fire crisis in Southern California.
The Los Angeles Fire Department announced new evacuation orders for the 'Kenneth Fire,' which is burning near the West Hills neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, an area densely populated with homes. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire has destroyed over 4,000 structures in the region, and thousands more were lost in the Pacific Palisades community.
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Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated that the destroyed structures could include homes, apartment buildings, businesses, and even vehicles.
Firefighters make gains despite ongoing destruction
Although the fires remain largely uncontrolled in and around Los Angeles, firefighters are beginning to make progress thanks to calmer winds. In Pacific Palisades, entire blocks have been flattened to ash, leaving only the outlines of homes and chimneys. In Malibu, remnants of palm trees are the only trace of the once-thriving oceanfront homes.
At least five churches, a synagogue, seven schools, two libraries, numerous businesses, and historic landmarks, including Will Rogers' Western Ranch House and the Topanga Ranch Motel, have been destroyed. The government has yet to provide specific figures on the total damage. AccuWeather estimates that the overall destruction could cost up to USD 57 billion.
Progress in controlling fires in Hollywood Hills and Studio City
City officials expressed hope on Thursday as firefighters made significant progress in containing the two largest fires. Crews were able to bring a blaze near Hollywood Hills under control, lifting evacuation orders for the area. The fire had come dangerously close to the famous Hollywood Bowl. “While we are still facing significant threats, I am hopeful that the tide is turning,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Air-dropped water helped firefighters control the flames, although much of the damage occurred on Tuesday when high winds had grounded the aircraft.
Rising winds and growing concerns
The National Weather Service warned of stronger winds expected Thursday evening through Friday morning, with more severe gusts anticipated early next week. These conditions are raising concerns that the fires could worsen.
However, Thursday’s weather gave firefighters a brief opportunity to make progress, with help from crews arriving from neighboring states and Canada. The fires have already claimed the lives of at least five people and forced thousands to flee. Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott praised the progress made, saying, “We hit it hard and fast and Mother Nature was a little nicer to us.”
The cause of the fires remains under investigation, but high winds earlier in the week, with gusts reaching up to 80 mph, fueled the flames that spread rapidly across the Southern California hillsides.
Fire Chief Kristin Crowley reported that the Palisades Fire alone has destroyed thousands of coastal structures. Malibu Chamber of Commerce President Barbara Bruderlin described the devastation as “total devastation and loss,” adding, “There are areas where everything is gone, there isn't even a stick of wood left, it's just dirt.”
Death toll expected to rise
Search crews are continuing to comb through the wreckage. The five confirmed fatalities are believed to be related to the Eaton and Palisades fires, but authorities expect the death toll to rise as more bodies are discovered.
The heartbreaking story of 67-year-old amputee Anthony Mitchell and his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy, was shared by Mitchell’s daughter. She told The Washington Post that they were waiting for an ambulance but did not make it out in time.
Shari Shaw, who tried to evacuate her 66-year-old brother Victor Shaw from his home in Pacific Palisades, said he chose to stay and fight the fire. His body was later found with a garden hose in his hand.
180,000 evacuated, looting concerns escalate
Around 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as the fires have consumed approximately 45 square miles — about the size of San Francisco. The Pacific Palisades Fire has already become the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
In response to looting, authorities have arrested at least 20 individuals, and the city of Santa Monica has declared a curfew from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am starting Thursday. National Guard troops have been stationed in the affected areas to protect properties.
Several celebrities, including Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore, and Paris Hilton, have lost their homes to the fires. In response, actress Jamie Lee Curtis has pledged USD 1 million to establish a support fund for those impacted by the disaster.
The fires are part of a growing trend of earlier and longer wildfire seasons in California, driven by rising temperatures and reduced rainfall linked to climate change. Southern California has seen unusually dry conditions, with less than 0.1 inches of rain since early May, exacerbating the risk of fires.
Struggling to rebuild
For many residents, like Robert Lara of Altadena, the devastation is overwhelming. Lara sifted through the charred remains of his home on Thursday, hoping to find a family heirloom. “All our memories, all our sentimental attachments... are now gone,” he said, struggling to process the loss of his home and family’s history.
His mother and uncle also lost their homes in the fire. “I haven't slept for two whole days now, and I keep asking myself, What do I do? Where do I start?” Lara said. “We're lost.”
Agency
Published: 10 Jan 2025, 08:29 am IST
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