Los Angeles County battles the most devastating wildfires in history

January 12, 2025 TruthUSA

Authorities have initiated investigations into multiple wildfires that have swept through Los Angeles County in the past week, resulting in the deaths of 16 individuals and leading government health officials to declare a public health emergency.

This region, home to many Hollywood celebrities, has been devastated by six simultaneous wildfires that have destroyed nearly 10,000 structures since Jan. 7. Firefighters are working around the clock to contain the blazes.

Fueled by strong wind gusts reaching 100 miles per hour and sustained winds up to 83 miles per hour, the wildfires have scorched over 53 square miles, surpassing the size of the city of Bristol.

According to an AccuWeather report, the estimated fire damage ranges from $135 billion to $150 billion, making it one of the most destructive wildfires in modern U.S. history and the worst in Los Angeles’s history.

The initial fire, known as the Palisades Fire, originated in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in the Northwestern part of Los Angeles county at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time on Jan. 7. As of Jan. 12, it has consumed 23,713 acres and is 11 percent contained.

The Eaton Fire began around 6:23 p.m., about 23 miles east of Palisades, in the Altadena/Pasadena area north of Los Angeles. As of Jan. 12, it has affected 14,117 acres and is 27 percent contained.

The Hurst fire ignited in the evening around 10:25 p.m. near Santa Clarita and has affected 799 acres. As of Jan. 12, it is 89 percent contained.

The Kenneth Fire started at 3:35 p.m. on Jan. 9 in the West Hills area of Los Angeles. By Jan. 12, it had burned 1,052 acres and is 90 percent contained.

Additional smaller fires have also emerged across the region in recent days but have since been contained.

As of Jan. 11, around 153,000 residents have been evacuated, with another 166,000 under evacuation warnings. Approximately 57,000 structures remain at risk as the fires continue to spread.

To prevent looting, a curfew order has been imposed in the Palisades and Eaton fire areas from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

“You go out there and you violate this curfew, you are going to spend time in jail,” warned Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna to Reuters.

A suspect was questioned on Jan. 9 regarding the Kenneth fire following a 911 call reporting a suspicious individual attempting to start a fire. Although no evidence of arson was found, the individual was arrested on a felony probation violation. The fire investigation remains ongoing.

On Jan. 8, President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for California, offering federal disaster assistance and committing to reimburse 100 percent of recovery costs for the next six months.

Biden met with California State Gov. Gavin Newsom on Jan. 8 to address water supply concerns amid reports of water shortages in hydrants and the deployment of generators.

The National Guard and firefighting resources from nearby states and Canada have been mobilized to provide support.

Travis Gillmore, Jill McLaughlin, and Reuters contributed to this report.

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