The devastating wildfires that spread across the eastern and western parts of Los Angeles, USA, were not brought under control by Thursday. However, as the strong winds slowed down, firefighters were able to reduce the spread of the fires to some extent. The previous two days saw the fires spread rapidly due to the high winds.
The Palisades area, located between Santa Monica and Malibu in the western part of Los Angeles, and the Eaton area near Pasadena in the east, are being considered among the most destructive in the city’s history. Nearly 31,000 acres of land have already been burned to ashes due to the wildfires.
The death toll from the wildfires in Los Angeles has risen to 10, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, as reported by Reuters on Thursday. Thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed in the fire. Nearly 180,000 people have been evacuated and told to seek shelter in safer areas. Authorities have also issued warnings for an additional 200,000 people.
Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna stated in a press conference that the death toll could increase. In the Eaton area alone, between 4,000 and 5,000 structures have been destroyed due to the fire. According to reports from the Los Angeles Times, the fire in the Palisades area has also destroyed around 5,300 structures.
Anthony Maron, the head of Los Angeles County Fire Service, mentioned that once the fire is under control, a team of remains identification experts will go door to door for searches.
According to private weather service AccuWeather, the financial damage caused by the wildfire is estimated to be between $13.5 billion and $15 billion.
In Los Angeles, wildfires have destroyed 10,000 homes in areas like Kenneth and Eaton, along with other buildings and structures, according to reports from the Associated Press on Thursday.
The fire has spread across several areas in Los Angeles County. To control the blaze, fire service personnel have begun dropping water from helicopters on the burning hills. According to BBC reports, the fire has spread to regions including Kenneth, Hearst, Lydia, Eaton, and Palisades.
Historic Site at Risk
According to Anthony Maron, Chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Service, the Eaton area wildfire has spread up to the grounds of the Mount Wilson Observatory. This is a site where, over a century ago, Edwin Hubble discovered the existence of galaxies beyond the Milky Way. He further stated that the universe is expanding. The Pacific Palisades area, located in the mountainous region, is home to many celebrities, and many of the houses in the area have been destroyed by the flames.
Celebrities Offering Assistance
Among those who have lost their homes in the wildfire are several U.S. celebrities. One of them is actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who announced on Thursday that her family will donate $1 million to the relief efforts.
Spanish-born U.S. chef José Andrés, known for delivering free meals to disaster-stricken people around the world, has also stepped in to help those affected by the fire. He set up a food truck on Pacific Coast Highway, near the fire-affected area in the Palisades. He stated, “At this moment, whether rich or poor, everyone needs help and love.”
Fire Control Efforts
Fire service personnel from nearly six U.S. states are being deployed to California’s Los Angeles to assist in controlling the wildfire.
Canada, with extensive experience in battling severe wildfires, is also offering support. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that firefighting aircraft capable of handling wildfires have been sent to southern California. Additionally, he mentioned that 250 Canadian fire service personnel are on standby, ready to be deployed if necessary.
