Los Angeles Wildfire: Thousand of homes destroyed, death toll rises to 24.

Los Angeles Wildfire: Thousands of Homes Destroyed, 24 Dead

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Pinky Deshmukh

Last Updated: January 13, 2025

Summary: The destructive wildfire that razed hundreds of houses and claimed 24 lives in Los Angeles has been difficult to contain.

At least 24 people have died, hundreds have been displaced, and more than 12,000 buildings were destroyed by fires that have ravaged an area greater than San Francisco. The source of the fires is unknown, but early estimates suggest they could be the most costly in US history.

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) said on Sunday that this would be the most terrible natural disaster in American history, given the extent of the destruction.

At a news meeting on Sunday afternoon, officials said they hoped to permit residents to return to areas impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires as early as Thursday.

Strong Santa Ana winds, which are predicted to linger through midweek, were the primary cause of the flames, which started last Tuesday. The Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires have burned around 160 square kilometers, according to Cal Fire.

Although the source of the fires is yet unknown, preliminary estimates indicate that they may end up being the most expensive in American history. According to AccuWeather's first estimates, the economic losses and damage might be anywhere between USD 135 billion and USD 150 billion.

With winds of up to 50 mph (80 kph) and mountain gusts of up to 70 mph (113 kph), the Weather Service has forecast red flag warnings for hazardous fire conditions through Wednesday. Tuesday was determined to be the most crucial day by weather service meteorologist Rich Thompson.

Over 700 people are seeking shelter in nine institutions out of the approximately 150,000 people that have been evacuated. According to Cal Fire, the Eaton Fire was 27% contained as of Sunday, while the Palisades Fire was 11% contained.

To fight wind-driven fires, 70 more water trucks have arrived, according to LA County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. Hillside protection will be given through aircraft-deployed fire retardant, officials said.

The wildfires that started last week have been exacerbated by the Santa Ana winds, destroying neighborhoods in a region that hasn't seen significant rainfall in more than eight months.

According to PowerOutage.us, approximately 70,000 Californians were without power as of Sunday morning, with more than half of those affected being in Los Angeles County. Significant damage to the region's power, water, and wastewater systems was reported by officials.

Hollywood celebrities Mandy Moore and Billy Crystal, as well as head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers, have lost their houses, and thousands have left.

Numerous places of worship, including a synagogue, a mosque, a Catholic parish, and six Protestant churches, have been destroyed by the fires.

The National Fire Protection Association discovered no trace of lightning in the Palisades region or the vicinity of the Eaton Fire, which started in east Los Angeles County, even though lightning is the most frequent source of wildfires in the United States.

Now, investigators are concentrating on the next two most likely causes: power line-sparked fires and intentionally started fires.

Several events have been postponed and canceled in the interim. The Sunday festivities for the Critics Choice Awards were moved to January 26 in Santa Monica.

Donald Trump, the US president-elect, criticized the authorities fighting the flames in Los Angeles on Sunday, calling into question their ability to handle the situation and demanding answers for the fires that are still burning.

Trump posted, "The fires are still raging in LA," on his Truth Social website. "The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out.