California Wildfires: What We Know About the Devastating Blazes Impacting LA | US News
A wave of intense wildfires surged through the Los Angeles region on Tuesday, intensifying due to strong winds and arid conditions.
At least five individuals have lost their lives and many others have sustained injuries, with emergency responders struggling to contain multiple ongoing fires.
Approximately 130,000 residents are currently facing mandatory evacuation orders throughout the city.
California wildfires update: Stay informed with live updates
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone estimated that around 1,000 homes and businesses have been consumed by the Palisades fire, which is the most significant fire raging in the southern part of the city, and that another 100 structures have been lost in the Eaton fire.
An initial analysis by JP Morgan insurance analysts suggests the financial impact of the fires could exceed $10 billion (£8.1 billion), as reported by Sky News’ partner NBC News.
Here is a comprehensive overview of the wildfires, which fire chiefs are describing as a “tragic” moment for the city.
Where are the fires located, and what is their size?
Currently, five major fires are active across Los Angeles.
The following is a summary of their sizes and containment status, indicating how much control the fire department has over them.
The California wildfires as of Thursday morning
Palisades fire
A brush fire ignited in Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood in Los Angeles County east of Malibu, on Tuesday morning.
By Wednesday afternoon, it had expanded to over 15,000 acres, as reported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Currently, it spans at least 17,234 acres and is 0% contained by firefighting crews.
The largest of the blazes is in the Pacific Pailsades area
Eaton fire
The Eaton fire ignited late Tuesday near a canyon in the expansive national forest land north of downtown LA, rapidly growing to over 10,000 acres by Wednesday, according to the US Forest Service.
Currently, it encompasses at least 10,600 acres and is 0% contained.
Hurst fire
Another fire erupted Tuesday night in Sylmar, a suburb north of San Fernando, due to a brush fire.
It quickly escalated to 500 acres and currently covers 855 acres, with 10% containment achieved.
Lidia fire
The Lidia fire erupted near the community of Acton, situated between the Sierra Pelona and San Gabriel mountains.
This blaze currently affects at least 348 acres and is 40% contained.
Sunset fire
The Sunset fire ignited in the Hollywood Hills of LA near Runyon Canyon shortly before 6 pm local time on Wednesday, prompting mandatory evacuations.
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Wildfires burn through Hollywood Hills
The fire currently covers 43 acres and is 0% contained.
The Woodley fire in Sepulveda Basin was previously “under control” but has now spread beyond 30 acres, while another blaze that engulfed Hollywood’s Studio City has been extinguished without any reported casualties.
Altadena in California before the fires.
Pic: Maxar/Reuters
And after. Pic: Maxar/Reuters
Why are these fires occurring in January – and when is the wildfire season?
The typical wildfire season in the United States begins mid-year, around May.
However, the primary factor behind the current fires in LA is the Santa Ana winds – dry and extreme winds often experienced during winter.
The spread of the fire on Tuesday afternoon
And its progression early on Wednesday morning
Wind speeds reaching up to 100 mph exacerbate the spread of flames, and when combined with low humidity levels and dry vegetation, the area becomes even more susceptible to fire.
These winds create a “blow-dryer” effect that further dries out the surroundings, according to Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA.
As long as these strong winds continue, the vegetation will remain parched, he cautioned.
Eyewitness: ‘Truly apocalyptic scenes’
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How fast did the wildfires spread?
California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that fire seasons have become “year-round in the state of California,” despite not traditionally seeing fires at this time of year, evidently referencing the repercussions of climate change.
Why are firefighters running low on water?
The intense nature of the fires has led to reports of fire hydrants throughout the city running dry.
Wildfire attorney Ari Friedman, a partner and trial attorney with the Los Angeles law firm Wisner Baum, attributed this to the increased demand that has overwhelmed the available supply.
A satellite image shows the Pacific Coast Highway along the Malibu coastline before devastating wildfires.Pic: Maxr/Reuters
The same satellite view after fires broke out.
Pic: Maxar/Reuters
However, he noted that this “doesn’t necessarily point to an equipment or water line failure as one might assume.”
Mr. Friedman also highlighted that the Palisades area, home to the largest fire, relies on water tanks due to its elevated location.
Which celebrities have been affected?
Stars from Hollywood are among the multitude of individuals evacuated, with some reporting total losses of their homes due to the blazes.
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Actor tells Sky News of wildfires ‘panic’
Oscar-winning songwriter Diane Warren confirmed she has lost her home of 30 years due to the fires, while reality stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag also indicated they lost their dwelling in the blaze.
American presenter and actress Ricki Lake took to Instagram to reveal she had lost her “dream home,” the venue of her marriage three years prior.
Sky News’ US correspondent Martha Kelner reported that celebrities like Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck, and Reese Witherspoon have been evacuated as the wildfires spread through the Pacific Palisades area, known for its affluent residents and celebrities.
The destruction caused by the fires has also led to the cancellation of numerous significant dates in the awards season calendar.
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Stephanie Pratt: ‘I don’t know if my house is there’
Due to the catastrophic fires, the annual Critics Choice Awards ceremony scheduled for this weekend has been postponed by two weeks, now set to occur on January 26, as stated by the organizers.
Additionally, the nomination voting period for The Oscars has reportedly been extended by two days.
Production has come to a halt on several TV shows, including America’s Got Talent, Loot, Ted, Suits: LA, Happy’s Place, and Hacks.
What have Trump and Biden said?
The White House announced on Wednesday that President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for California, allowing federal funds and resources to support recovery efforts.
A statement indicated that the president is “focused on mobilizing life-saving resources across the region” and is “praying for those who have lost their loved ones, suffered damage to their property, or have been injured, as well as for everyone affected by these devastating fires.”
He has also canceled his upcoming trip to Italy to prioritize addressing the wildfires.
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Trump blames governor for wildfires
Conversely, president-elect Donald Trump directed his criticism at California Governor Newsom, repeating assertions that firefighters lacked adequate water in their hydrants to combat the flames.
“It’s a governor’s mistake, and you can also hold the administration accountable,” he remarked on Wednesday evening.
“They have no water. Fire hydrants are dry. The governor has not done a good job.”
When will the fire conditions improve?
The fierce winds fueling the fires are diminishing, but hazardous conditions are expected to continue at least through Friday, according to NBC.
Climate scientist Daniel Swain mentioned that some of the driest vegetation will emerge after the strongest winds subside, warning, “Thus, there will be a prolonged period of high fire risk ahead.”
A high wind warning is still active in parts of greater Los Angeles, including the Malibu coast and the Santa Monica Mountains, as per the National Weather Service.
The forecasters caution that wind speeds could reach up to 60 mph.
Red flag warnings, issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public and authorities about incoming weather conditions that could lead to extreme fires, are expected to remain in effect until at least 6 pm local time on Friday.
Humidity levels are forecasted to stay low, with some areas possibly dipping into single digits through Friday.