Los Angeles Palisades Fire Intensifies, Threatening Neighborhoods
Los Angeles Palisades Fire Intensifies, Threatening Neighborhoods
LOS ANGELES: Firefighters were gradually making headway in their efforts to control the blaze that has devastated large portions of the Pacific Palisades area in Los Angeles, but advancing flames and strong winds continued to pose a threat to neighbourhoods in the heavily populated San Fernando Valley on Sunday (Jan 12).
Aircraft released water and fire retardants on steep terrain to halt the Palisades Fire’s eastward advance. KTLA television reported that ground crews had succeeded in protecting several homes despite the loss of others. “Los Angeles County faced another night of unimaginable fear and sorrow,” stated Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. At least 14 fatalities had occurred due to six simultaneous wildfires that have swept through the country’s second-largest city since Tuesday, as reported on Sunday morning. Authorities estimate that at least 16 individuals remain unaccounted for.
California Governor Gavin Newsom indicated that the death toll is expected to increase. “I have search and rescue teams deployed. We have cadaver dogs out, and we will probably find more,” he mentioned during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” program. Newsom commented that these fires could be the most significant natural disaster in U.S. history of the costs involved.” Active duty military personnel are on standby to aid in firefighting efforts, noted FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell during several television interviews on Sunday, emphasizing that the agency has encouraged residents to apply for disaster assistance.
“We have the resources to support this response and recovery effort,” she stated during her interview on ABC’s “This Week” program. According to fire officials, the blazes have damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures. The flames have turned entire neighbourhoods into charred remnants, obliterating the homes of both celebrities and everyday people and creating a devastating landscape. According to reports from officials, the Palisades Fire expanded by an additional 1,000 acres in the last 24 hours, consuming more residences. In a press conference, Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins mentioned that while 11 per cent of the Palisades Fire is now under control, it has already burned over 22,000 acres.
Hopkins noted that the fire has spread into Mandeville Canyon and is threatening to move into Brentwood, an affluent area frequented by numerous celebrities, and the San Fernando Valley. It has also approached the north-south 405 freeway.
SANTA ANA WINDS
Despite a decrease in the strength of the Santa Ana winds over the weekend, the National Weather Service cautioned that gusts reaching up to 110 kph could return early next week. Local authorities indicated that the most intense winds are anticipated on Tuesday. According to the NWS, Red Flag warnings will remain in place for LA and Ventura counties until Wednesday.
“The combination of these winds with dry air and vegetation will sustain the fire weather risk in the region,” it stated. Conditions are expected to improve by Thursday. Particular residents were permitted to return to the locations of their destroyed homes on Saturday to salvage what they could. The LA County Sheriff’s Department teams are actively searching through the debris with dogs for any human remains. Evacuation orders in the Los Angeles area now affect 153,000 residents. Additionally, as stated by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, another 166,000 residents have been alerted that they might need to evacuate.
FEDERAL HELP
President Joe Biden held a phone conversation with officials to receive updates on their progress and was informed by aides about federal resources being deployed. His declaration of a significant disaster opened the door for federal assistance for those impacted by the wildfires, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to offer support. “With the major disaster declaration, FEMA is beginning to assist the individuals affected,” Criswell stated on Fox News Sunday, encouraging individuals to sign up for help through DisasterAssistance.gov. Assistance may vary from funds for home repairs to financial aid for replacing lost food or medication, according to FEMA spokesperson Michael Hart, who mentioned that help can be provided within days. Newsom also issued an executive order to streamline the process for state government needed to rebuild destroyed homes and businesses.
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump criticized local and state leaders whom he believed mishandled the situation. “The fires continue to rage in LA. The incompetent politicians have no idea how to extinguish them. Numerous beautiful homes have been lost, and many more are at risk of destruction. There is death everywhere… they cannot put out the fires. What is wrong with them?” he posted on his Truth Social media account. Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, informed reporters that she invited Trump, set to take office on Jan 20, to visit the county for a direct observation of the devastation.
‘WEEKS OF WORK’
In Altadena, official Don Fregulia stated that managing the Eaton Fire and its aftermath will be an “immense, herculean task” requiring “many weeks of effort.” The Cal Fire website indicated that the Eaton Fire is 27 per cent contained, an increase from 15 per cent on Saturday, after burning 14,117 acres. The two major fires have collectively ravaged more than 36,000 acres, equivalent to 145 square kilometres, two and a half times the size of Manhattan, marking one of the worst disasters in Los Angeles’s history. Due to the dense, toxic smoke and poor air quality caused by the fires releasing traces of metals, plastics, and other synthetic materials, officials have declared a public health emergency. Progress has been made in restoring electrical power to neighbourhoods in Los Angeles. Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell reported that there are now approximately 50,000 customers without power, a reduction from over half a million days ago. The private forecasting agency AccuWeather estimated the economic damage and losses to be between US$135 billion and US$150 billion, suggesting a significant rise in homeowners’ insurance premiums. In his weekly address to the faithful at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis expressed, “I stand in solidarity with the people of Los Angeles… where catastrophic fires have erupted in recent days. I am praying for all of you.”
Source: Reuters/fs
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