In the affluent neighborhood of Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, a massive firefighting response is actively ongoing as a wildfire has surged, engulfing an additional 1,000 acres overnight.
Residents are on high alert, facing potential worsening weather that may exacerbate the flames in the coming 72 hours.
During a recent press briefing, Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins reported that while 11% of the Palisades Fire has been contained, it has already scorched more than 22,000 acres, causing widespread concern.
Water drops were observed near Mandeville Canyon Road as the fire crept closer to Encino.
Mr. Hopkins noted that the Palisades Fire has spread into the Mandeville Canyon area and is now threatening the upscale Brentwood neighborhood, home to various celebrities.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna revealed that another 166,000 residents have received evacuation orders as the situation escalates.
“Last night was a heart-wrenching ordeal for LA County,” remarked Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
Six simultaneous wildfires have torn through various neighborhoods in Los Angeles County since Tuesday, tragically claiming at least 11 lives and damaging or destroying 10,000 structures—more than 13 individuals remain unaccounted for.
The grim toll could rise significantly once firefighters are able to contribute to house-to-house searches.
While the fierce Santa Ana winds that fueled the fires eased overnight, a new wind direction from the Pacific Ocean is now pushing the Palisades Fire toward the densely populated San Fernando Valley foothills.
Dubbed the most devastating fire in Los Angeles history, the blaze has obliterated entire neighborhoods, leaving behind only smoldering ruins of what were once cherished homes and belongings.
Earlier, firefighters had reported significant progress in containing the Palisades and Eaton Fires after battling them for several days; the Palisades Fire is currently 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire is at 15%, according to Cal Fire.
Collectively, these two major blazes have devoured over 36,000 acres—roughly two and a half times the size of Manhattan.
Aid has flooded into California from seven neighboring states, the federal government, and even Canada, with aerial teams working tirelessly, dousing water and fire retardants over the flames, while ground crews attack the fire lines with tools and hoses.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), conditions in the Los Angeles area will improve as the weekend approaches, with sustained winds expected to slow to around 32 km/h, with gusts ranging from 56 km/h to 80 km/h.
“The wind isn’t as gusty, which should provide some relief to the firefighters,” stated NWS meteorologist Allison Santorelli. However, she cautioned that low humidity and dry vegetation still present critical challenges.
A public health emergency has been declared due to the overwhelming quantities of thick, toxic smoke in the air.
Residents returning to their ravaged neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades were met with the shock of seeing nothing left but charred remains and brick chimneys standing over heaps of ash and burnt-out vehicles. “This was a house that was loved,” reflected Kelly Foster, 44, as she sifted through the debris of what used to be her home.
Her daughter Ada, just 16, expressed the emotional toll of the tragedy, stating, “I tried to go inside, but it just made me sick. It’s just hard.”
In Rick McGeagh’s area, out of 60 homes, only six survived, with only a statue of the Virgin Mary remaining at his ranch. “Everything else is ash and rubble,” lamented Mr. McGeagh, 61, a commercial real estate broker, who once raised three children in that home.
In a bid to assist those impacted, hundreds flocked to a parking lot near the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, collecting donated supplies like clothes, diapers, and bottled water.
Denise Doss, 63, shared her apprehension about returning to her destroyed home in Altadena to assess what remains, as officials restricted access for safety reasons. “I just want to say goodbye before we can rebuild. I will leave it in God’s hands,” she said earnestly.
The financial fallout from these wildfires is staggering. Private forecaster AccuWeather has projected economic losses ranging between $135 billion and $150 billion, indicating a challenging recovery ahead and a sharp increase in homeowners’ insurance costs.
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has urged insurers to halt any impending non-renewals and cancellations that homeowners faced prior to the fires, also calling for extended grace periods for payments.
In a decisive move, President Joe Biden has declared the fires a major disaster, assuring that the federal government will cover 100% of recovery costs for the next six months.
Amidst the chaos, law enforcement officials have enforced curfews, with rising concerns of criminal activities including burglary, looting, and illegal possession of firearms. Sheriff Luna issued a stern warning: “If you violate this curfew, you will face jail time.”
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
