Wildfires raging across Los Angeles County have claimed at least 10 lives and destroyed nearly 10,000 structures, officials said Thursday, as five separate blazes continued to burn through a third night, fueled by strong desert winds.
The Palisades Fire, situated between Santa Monica and Malibu, and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena are among the most destructive in the city’s history. Together, the fires have scorched over 34,000 acres (13,750 hectares), turning entire neighborhoods into ash.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed late Thursday that the death toll had risen to 10, while Sheriff Robert Luna said he expected the numbers to climb.
“It looks like an atomic bomb dropped in these areas. I don’t expect good news,” Luna told reporters.
AccuWeather has estimated the damage and economic losses at $135 billion to $150 billion, signaling a lengthy recovery period and potentially soaring homeowners’ insurance rates. Southern California Edison reported receiving notices from insurers to preserve evidence related to the Eaton Fire, though fire agencies have not linked the utility to the blaze.
Mayor Karen Bass pledged to “aggressively rebuild” Los Angeles amid criticism from President-elect Donald Trump and other Republicans about her handling of the disaster.
President Joe Biden declared a major disaster on Tuesday and vowed Thursday that the federal government would cover 100% of recovery costs for the next 180 days. This includes funding for debris removal, temporary shelters, and first responder salaries.
“Spare no expense to do what’s necessary to contain these fires,” Biden said.
In total, five fires are burning across Los Angeles County. The Palisades Fire is only 6% contained, while the Eaton Fire remains completely uncontained. Firefighting aircraft, including a Super Scooper on loan from Canada, have been deployed, although one aircraft was grounded after a collision with an unauthorized drone near the Palisades blaze. No injuries were reported.
A new fire erupted Thursday near Calabasas, home to many celebrities and gated communities. The so-called Kenneth Fire rapidly expanded to 960 acres (388 hectares) within hours.
Authorities accidentally issued a countywide evacuation alert intended only for those near the Kenneth Fire. A corrected notification was promptly sent to Los Angeles County’s 9.6 million residents.
The Eaton Fire has damaged or destroyed up to 5,000 structures, while the Palisades Fire has affected an additional 5,300. Pacific Palisades residents returning to the burned areas found little left standing.
“We are alive. That’s all that matters,” said private security guard Bilal Tukhi, standing near his employer’s charred home.
Schools remained closed Friday due to hazardous air conditions, officials said, while intensified winds overnight extended red-flag warnings into Friday afternoon.
Some residents expressed concerns that government aid might prioritize high-profile areas like Pacific Palisades over less affluent communities.
“They’re not going to give you the value of your house … you have to fight for it,” said Kay Young, 63, standing before the rubble of a home passed down through her family for generations.
The Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills was fully contained after threatening the iconic Walk of Fame on Wednesday night. However, Pacific Palisades remains littered with downed power lines and destroyed vehicles.
Actor Jamie Lee Curtis announced her family would donate $1 million to wildfire relief efforts. Chef Jose Andres also set up food trucks near Pacific Coast Highway to provide meals for residents and first responders.
Canada has sent additional firefighting personnel and equipment to aid California. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “To our American neighbors: Canada is here to help.”
REUTERS
