- विज्ञापन -
Los Angeles: The wildfires in the Los Angeles area have resulted in at least 24 fatalities, displaced thousands, and obliterated over 12,000 structures, affecting a land area greater than that of San Francisco.
These fires, which ignited last Tuesday, have been propelled by strong Santa Ana winds expected to persist into midweek. According to Cal Fire, the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires have scorched around 160 square kilometers.
While the cause of the fires remains unknown, early projections indicate they could be among the most expensive in U.S. history. Preliminary estimates from AccuWeather suggest the economic impact could reach between USD 135 billion and USD 150 billion.
The flames have endangered and destroyed several densely populated areas, including Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Approximately 150,000 individuals have been evacuated, with over 700 people seeking refuge in nine emergency shelters. As of Sunday, Cal Fire reported that the Palisades Fire is 11 percent contained and the Eaton Fire is 27 percent contained.
As of Sunday morning, nearly 70,000 California residents were without power, over half of whom are in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us. Officials have noted significant damage to the region’s sewer, water, and electrical infrastructure.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings for soaring fire conditions due to the anticipated return of strong Santa Ana winds through Wednesday. These winds have primarily contributed to the rapid escalation of the wildfires, devastating neighborhoods in an area that has not seen significant rainfall in over eight months.
Many people have fled their homes, including Hollywood celebrities like Billy Crystal and Mandy Moore, as well as Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick. The fires have not only consumed several celebrity mansions and movie landmarks but have also destroyed a refuge in Altadena that has served generations of Black families seeking to escape discriminatory housing practices. These communities have been characterized by racial and economic diversity, with many residents owning their homes.
Additionally, several places of worship have been lost to the flames, including a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic parish, and several Protestant churches.
