The devastating wildfires raging across Los Angeles County have claimed the lives of at least 16 people and damaged or destroyed over 12,000 structures since they began last week. Authorities have warned of worsening conditions in the days ahead as firefighters struggle to contain the blazes.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office reported that five deaths resulted from the Palisades Fire, while 11 occurred during the Eaton Fire.
The fires have upended daily life in Los Angeles County, prompting school closures and the cancellation of entertainment, sports, and community events. Authorities have urged residents to adhere to evacuation orders and avoid affected areas.
‘Stay inside’, urges health department
Health authorities in Los Angeles have issued a warning for residents to remain indoors due to hazardous wildfire smoke blanketing the region.
Raging fires across the city are releasing toxic smoke, enveloping vast areas in thick, suffocating fumes.
“We are all exposed to wildfire smoke, which contains a mix of small particles, gases, and water vapors,” said Anish Mahajan of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said, as quoted by AFP. “The fine particles irritate the nose and throat, causing sore throats and headaches,” he added.
Fires turn landscapes into hellscapes
Firefighters have been battling multiple blazes, including the Palisades Fire, which has consumed 86 square kilometers (33 square miles), and the Eaton Fire, which has burned through 56 square kilometers (22 square miles). The Palisades Fire has ravaged the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, home to multimillion-dollar properties and celebrities.
Three smaller fires—the Kenneth Fire (four sq km), the Hurst Fire (three sq km), and the Lidia Fire (1.6 sq km)—are partially contained, with containment levels ranging from 50% to 98%.
Grim search for victims continues
Search teams, aided by cadaver dogs, continue to sift through the devastation. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced the establishment of a family assistance center in Pasadena and highlighted the importance of abiding by curfews to facilitate rescue and recovery efforts. The fires have scorched an area larger than San Francisco, with new evacuation orders issued as flames flare up in the Palisades Fire’s eastern region.
Governor Newsom invites Trump to survey damage
California Governor Gavin Newsom invited President-elect Donald Trump to survey the wildfire damage firsthand and meet with affected communities. Newsom emphasised the need for unity and warned against politicizing the disaster. In a statement on X, he wrote, “The hundreds of thousands of Americans displaced from their homes deserve to see us working together, not spreading misinformation.”
Economic and environmental toll
Since January 7, the wildfires have scorched approximately 39,000 acres and caused damages estimated between $135 billion and $150 billion, potentially making this the costliest wildfire disaster in US history.
Authorities have arrested 20 individuals for looting in neighborhoods impacted by the fires. A nighttime curfew and National Guard patrols have been implemented to ensure public safety.
Ray of hope
Amid the devastation, acts of kindness have emerged. Volunteer turnout at donation centers has been so overwhelming that some were turned away, including at the YMCA in Koreatown and the Santa Anita Park horse racing track. Evacuees have been sorting through donated goods, with many expressing gratitude despite losing their homes.
Officials have cautioned against returning to burned areas due to toxic materials such as lead, arsenic, and asbestos in the ash.
