Wildfires have engulfed Los Angeles, killing at least five people, destroying hundreds of homes and draining firefighting resources and water supplies to the limit, while more than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate, Al Jazeera Balkans reports.
– The death toll from the wildfires raging around Los Angeles has risen to at least five, and could be higher – Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told KNX News Radio, Hina reports.
Strong winds are hampering firefighting operations and fanning the blazes, which have been burning unabated since they broke out on Tuesday.
Five separate fires were burning in Los Angeles County, and according to state officials, all were out of control, including two fires that had the city in a tight grip.
On the west side, the Palisades fire consumed 6,406 acres and 1,000 structures in the hills between Santa Monica and Malibu, advancing down Topanga Canyon until it reached a natural barrier, the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the most destructive fires in the history of Los Angeles.
The sky was red and covered with thick smoke
To the east, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, the Eaton Fire has burned more than 4,289 acres and killed at least five people. Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the initial damage and economic loss at more than $50 billion.
– We are facing a historic natural disaster. And I don’t think that can be stated strongly enough – said Kevin McGowan, director of emergency management for Los Angeles County, at a press conference.
The sky over Los Angeles was red in some parts and covered in thick smoke. Nearly a million homes and businesses are without power in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us.
Three smaller fires in the county also strained firefighting resources that were already depleted, and water shortages hit Pacific Palisades, an upscale coastal enclave where the wildfire consumed 6,406 acres.
“There are not enough firefighters in LA County to deal with four separate fires of this size,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.
Water demand also caused some hydrants in Pacific Palisades to dry up after the last of three large water tanks in the area ran dry, officials said.
– We pushed the system to the limit. We’re fighting a wildfire with urban water systems, and that’s really challenging – Janisse Quinones, executive director of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said at a press conference.
Pacific Palisades relies on three reservoirs that hold roughly 1 million gallons (3.78 million liters) each, and demand for firefighting water at lower elevations has made it difficult to refill water reservoirs at higher elevations, she said.
Firefighters ran out of water
Some hydrants ran dry around three o’clock in the morning. With wind and smoke limiting the ability to provide aerial support, firefighters ran out of water to fight the blaze.
Nestled in the hills with spectacular ocean views, Pacific Palisades is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the country with the typical home estimated at $3.7 million at the end of 2023. It is home to many film, television and music stars, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Mandy Moore and Mark Hamilla, who were all forced to leave their homes.
The fires broke out at a particularly sensitive time for Southern California, which has yet to see significant rainfall since the start of the “water” year in October.
Scientists say the fires, which are breaking out well outside the traditional wildfire season, mark the latest in weather extremes that are likely to escalate further as global temperatures continue to rise in the coming decades.
New fires broke out yesterday in the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon, the site of the iconic “Hollywood” sign.
(TYPE/Source: Fena/Faktor/Hina/Photo: Anatolia Agency)
