California Governor Gavin Newsom said this could be the worst natural disaster in the country’s history, with at least 24 people killed, 12,300 structures destroyed or damaged, and about 100,000 people evacuated. The fires have flattened many residential areas, from ordinary homes to luxury villas, leaving behind a scene of devastation like after a bomb.
Aerial fire crews used water from the Pacific Ocean and fire retardant to contain the Palisades Fire as it approached the Brentwood area, which is home to many homes.
As of today, the fire has burned 23,713 acres and is only 11% contained. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire east of the city has grown to 14,117 acres but is 27% contained, up from 15% the day before.
To the north, the Hurst Fire is 89 percent contained, and three other fires in the Los Angeles area have also been completely extinguished. However, officials warn that areas within the containment lines remain at risk of continuing to burn.
The Santa Ana winds, which brought hurricane-force winds earlier in the week, have eased over the weekend, giving firefighters a valuable opportunity to consolidate fire boundaries. But the National Weather Service predicts winds will return with gusts of 50 to 70 mph through Jan. 15.
More than 100,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, down from the previous peak of 150,000. Another 87,000 have been warned to be ready to leave. Schools in the area, except for some in mandatory evacuation zones, are expected to reopen on January 13 (local time) after being closed for two days.
Los Angeles Police Chief Robert Luna warned residents to be aware of remaining hazards such as live power lines and downed gas lines. Meanwhile, firefighters from seven states, along with support teams from Canada and Mexico, have been called in to help.
Initial estimates put the economic cost of the wildfires at $135 billion to $150 billion. To speed up the rebuilding process, Governor Newsom has signed an order temporarily lifting some environmental regulations on destroyed structures. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is also urging people to apply for disaster assistance.
Unpredictable weather forecasts, coupled with the lingering impact of the fires, mean Los Angeles' fight against natural disasters still has many challenges ahead.
