The California wildfires have wreaked havoc across Southern California, with Los Angeles fires claiming at least 24 lives so far. Officials warn that the death toll may rise as firefighters battle the relentless blaze.
High winds and escalating fire risk
Firefighters are preparing for the return of dry Santa Ana winds, which are expected to gust between 45-70 mph through Wednesday. These winds could intensify the fires, turning neighbourhoods into ashes.
The National Weather Service has issued a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS)" warning to highlight the extreme wildfire risk.
Destruction across Los Angeles
According to California wildfire latest updates from CAL Fire, the fires have burned 40,588 acres and destroyed more than 12,000 structures across Los Angeles.
Key updates on Los Angeles wildfires
- Palisades Fire Latest Update: Over 23,000 acres burned, with only 14% containment.
- Eaton Fire: Burned more than 14,000 acres, with 33% containment.
- Hurst Fire: Spanning nearly 800 acres, it is 95% contained.
Presidential response and assistance
President-elect Donald Trump is expected to visit Los Angeles next week to survey the damage and assess emergency needs.
Outgoing President Joe Biden expressed condolences and announced additional disaster assistance for debris removal and emergency measures. However, he urged Congress to provide further funding to aid recovery efforts.
Relief efforts and community support
- Celebrities and Companies Step Up:
- Beyoncé donated $2.5 million through her foundation BeyGOOD.
- Metallica contributed $500,000, while Netflix and Comcast NBCUniversal pledged $20 million for relief efforts.
- Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS awarded $500,000 in emergency grants.
Drone incident and investigations
- A firefighting plane damaged by an unauthorised drone during the Palisades fire has been repaired and will resume operations on Tuesday.
- The FBI is investigating the drone operator, as the flight violated FAA restrictions.
Massive firefighting effort
CAL Fire director Joe Tyler reported that over 15,000 first responders from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are battling the fires. Tyler praised the collaborative effort as crews work tirelessly to protect lives and property.
The California wildfires continue to pose a significant threat to Southern California, with recovery expected to take months, if not years. Residents and officials remain hopeful as relief and firefighting efforts intensify.
Also Read: 24 dead, strong winds loom as LA battles worst-ever wildfires
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