At least 10 people have died and thousands of buildings have been reduced to ash as ferocious wildfires swept through Los Angeles, US officials confirmed on Friday. The fires, fuelled by intense dry winds and parched conditions, have devastated communities, forcing tens of thousands to flee smoke-filled canyons and neighbourhoods, including areas home to Hollywood celebrities.
Among the tragic fatalities, at least five individuals lost their lives in the Eaton Fire, one of four major blazes currently active in the region. Officials fear the death toll may climb as recovery efforts progress. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that several of the deaths, including sudden fatalities, were due to cardiac arrests triggered by the stress and smoke inhalation during the evacuations.
The Pacific Palisades fire, which has been particularly devastating, torched over 200 acres of the affluent residential neighbourhood, prompting mandatory evacuations. Firefighters have struggled to contain the rapidly spreading flames due to strong Santa Ana winds and limited water supplies in hydrants.
With over 5,000 structures damaged or destroyed, Pacific Palisades has borne the brunt of the destruction, marking this as the most catastrophic wildfire in Los Angeles history. Overall, nearly 27 square miles (70 square kilometres) of coastal and residential areas have been consumed by flames, leaving a trail of unprecedented devastation.
As of Thursday, nearly 180,000 residents were under evacuation orders, with areas like Calabasas, Santa Monica, and West Hills directly threatened. Among the evacuees were celebrities such as Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and Paris Hilton, who were forced to leave their homes as flames advanced.
The fires, which have scorched approximately 45 square miles (117 square kilometres) of Los Angeles County, prompted Sheriff Robert Luna to liken the destruction to the aftermath of “an atomic bomb.”
More than 7,500 personnel, including firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency support staff, are working tirelessly to contain the blazes. California has mobilised over 1,400 firefighting professionals, with reinforcements arriving from neighbouring states like Oregon, Washington, and Arizona.
In response, President Joe Biden has authorised federal funding to aid in firefighting efforts. The emergency resources will cover hazardous materials removal, shelter operations, first responder salaries, and protective measures for the next 180 days. “These are the worst fires to ever hit Los Angeles,” President Biden remarked, pledging full federal support for recovery and rebuilding efforts.
A technical glitch caused widespread panic on Thursday after evacuation alerts were mistakenly sent to millions of Los Angeles County residents. Officials quickly corrected the error, but not before confusion spread across the city.
Private weather company AccuWeather estimates economic damage and losses from the fires to range between $135 billion and $150 billion, though official government figures are still pending.
The relentless Santa Ana winds, which gusted at over 70 mph (112 km/h) earlier in the week, have exacerbated the crisis. Although the winds have slightly subsided, the National Weather Service has warned that even reduced gusts could cause the fires to spread unpredictably.
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