The Los Angeles wildfires continue to wreak havoc in the city, as firefighters continue to battle the flames into their third night. The death toll up has now risen to 10, while nearly 10,000 homes and structures have been reduced to ash. Despite a temporary easing of the fierce winds, officials warn that conditions remain volatile.
According to Reuters, the Palisades Fire, located between Santa Monica and Malibu, and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena have consumed over 34,000 acres (53 square miles), marking them as the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history. Officials warn that the death toll may rise as the fires rage on.
A man looks for belongings in the remains of his home after burned down by wildfires in the Los Angeles area, at the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, U.S. January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Ringo Chiu
In a press conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna described the affected areas as looking like “an atomic bomb dropped,” underscoring the catastrophic damage. AccuWeather estimates the economic loss at an astronomical $135 billion to $150 billion, marking the fire as one of the costliest in US history.
President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster and pledged federal support to cover 100% of recovery costs for the next 180 days. This includes funding for debris removal, temporary shelters, and first responders. “Spare no expense to contain these fires,” Biden assured officials.
Firefighters from across the U.S. and Canada have joined local crews, aided by aerial support to combat the massive blazes.
Property destroyed by the Eaton Fire lie in ruin, while a pair of massive wildfires menacing Los Angeles from the east and west were still burning uncontained, in Altadena, California, U.S. January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
The fires have forced evacuations across Los Angeles County, including in Calabasas, where the rapidly growing Kenneth Fire expanded to 960 acres within hours. A countywide evacuation alert, mistakenly sent to all 9.6 million residents, caused panic but was quickly corrected.
Schools remain closed, air quality has plummeted due to smoke and ash, and curfews are being implemented in evacuation zones.
Firefighters battle the fire in the Angeles National Forest near Mt. Wilson as the wildfires burn in the Los Angeles area, during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, U.S. January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Ringo Chiu
The Eaton Fire reached the grounds of the historic Mount Wilson Observatory, a landmark in the history of astronomy. Fortunately, the flames appear to be under control at the site. Meanwhile, the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills, which threatened the iconic Walk of Fame, has been fully contained.
In Pacific Palisades, once-luxurious homes now stand in ruins, with charred vehicles and downed power lines blocking streets. Some residents defied evacuation orders to protect their properties.
