Rabat – The death toll from Los Angeles’ wildfires has reached at least 24 victims while 16 others are missing as massive fires continue to burn through the city and nearby areas. The wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes, as LA faces one of its worst disasters in years.
Strong Santa Ana winds have fueled the fires, which have scorched over 62 square-miles, an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire are the most destructive, with only 11% and 27% containment, AP News reported.
These two fires alone have destroyed more than 12,000 structures and forced 150,000 people to evacuate their homes.
Firefighters received some relief over the weekend as winds briefly calmed. However, the National Weather Service warns of severe fire conditions through Wednesday, with wind gusts reaching up to 70 miles per hour in some areas. These conditions could cause new fires to spark and spread quickly.
Dennis Burns, a fire behavior expert, warned that Tuesday could be the most dangerous day. “Tomorrow night, it will really ramp up,” he said at a community meeting, according to the report.
Firefighters are battling the flames with nearly 1,400 fire engines, 84 aircraft, and over 14,000 personnel, including help from Mexico and other states throughout the country. Hundreds of inmates from California’s prison system are also assisting, though their low pay for such dangerous work has sparked controversy.
The fires have left neighborhoods in total ruin. Some residents are searching through the ashes of their homes, while others wait anxiously to hear if their properties survived.
Officials have warned residents to stay out of these burned areas due to safety risks. “There’s no power, no water, and unstable structures,” said Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley.
Many people have taken refuge in shelters, while the National Guard is struggling to protect neighborhoods from looting. Governor Gavin Newsom has promised swift rebuilding efforts, including suspending some regulations to speed up the process.
President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in California, allocating federal assistance for affected residents. More than 24,000 people have already applied for this much needed aid.
