Southern California is grappling with a series of devastating wildfires that have led to significant loss of life and property.
The terrible news comes as America’s northeastern states are caught in a major snow and ice storm.
The Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, the most destructive wildfire to ever hit L.A., has scorched over 17,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures, and remains uncontained. In Altadena, the Eaton Fire has consumed more than 10,000 acres, also with zero containment. These fires have killed at least five people and forced the evacuation of over 180,000 residents.
The situation has prompted a robust response from both state and federal authorities.
President Joe Biden approved a federal major disaster declaration for Los Angeles County, enabling the allocation of additional resources to combat the blazes.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that the Pentagon is prepared to provide further assistance, including deploying Navy helicopters equipped with water buckets and Modular Air Fire Fighting System units from the National Guard to support aerial firefighting efforts.
Local leadership has faced scrutiny amid the crisis. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was in Ghana during the onset of the fires, emphasized that her current focus is on protecting lives and homes.
She acknowledged the need for a future evaluation of the city’s preparedness and response but maintained that immediate efforts are centered on mitigating the disaster’s impact.
Governor Gavin Newsom has been actively involved, touring affected areas and coordinating the state’s response.
Both state and local officials are urging residents to adhere to evacuation orders and remain vigilant as firefighting efforts continue under challenging conditions.
The combination of dry conditions and strong winds has exacerbated the spread of these wildfires, making containment efforts particularly arduous.
“Damage assessments are ongoing at the Palisades fire. Preliminary reports estimate the damage or destroyed structures to be in the thousands,” Los Angeles city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said during a news conference Thursday morning.
As the situation develops, authorities are prioritizing the safety of residents and the protection of property, while also preparing for a comprehensive assessment of the factors contributing to this unprecedented wildfire season.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in addition to the Palisades Fire, four other blazes are currently burning: the Eaton Fire, which has torched 10,600 acres so far; the Hurst Fire, which has burned around 855 acres but is 10% contained; the Lidia Fire, which has grown to 348 acres but has 40% containment; and the Sunset Fire, around 43 acres. Aside from the Lidia and Hurst fires, officials say these wildfires are not contained in any way, according to Yahoo! News.
The Sunset Fire erupted in the densely populated Hollywood Hills late Wednesday, prompting more evacuations in areas like Hollywood Boulevard and Runyon Canyon Park.