Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Firefighters were making slow progress in their battle to contain a blaze that has leveled the Los Angeles Pacific Palisades neighborhood, but the still-spreading blaze threatened communities in the densely populated San Fernando Valley on Sunday.
Airplanes dropped water and fire retardant on the hillside to the East Palisades Fire and KTLA television reported that while others were lost, crews on the ground were able to save several homes.
“LA County has had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that at least 16 people have died in six simultaneous fires in the second-largest US city since Tuesday, The Washington Post and other media reported. Reuters could not reach the coroner.
At least 13 people are believed to be missing.
The fire damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures, fire officials said. The flames reduced entire neighborhoods to smoky ruins, destroying the homes of the rich and famous and ordinary people, and leaving behind an apocalyptic landscape.
Over the past 24 hours, the Palisades Fire has spread to an additional 1,000 acres (400 hectares), claiming more homes, officials said.
The Palisades Fire is 11 percent contained but has burned more than 22,000 acres, Cal Fire Chief Todd Hopkins said.
Hopkins said in a press release that the fire has spread through Mandeville Canyon and threatens to jump into Brentwood, an upscale neighborhood home to many celebrities, and the San Fernando Valley. Also access to the North-South 405 Freeway.
Santa wind
The Santa Ana winds that fueled the fire calmed Saturday, but the National Weather Service warned that gusts of up to 70 mph (110 kph) could arrive early next week.
Red flag warnings remain in effect for LA and Ventura counties through Wednesday, according to the NWS.
“These winds, combined with dry air and dry vegetation, prevent the fire risk in the area,” he said. Conditions are expected to moderate through Thursday.
On Saturday, some residents were allowed to return to their destroyed homes to see what they could salvage from the rubble. Teams with the LA County Sheriff’s Department were working to search for human remains with sniffer dogs.
Evacuation orders now cover 153,000 residents in the Los Angeles area. Another 166,000 residents were warned to evacuate, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.
Federal assistance
President Joe Biden spoke by phone with officials to get an update on their efforts, and aides were briefed on federal resources being sent.
The declaration of a major disaster opened up federal aid to those affected by the wildfires, paving the way for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance.
Assistance can range from financial assistance for home repairs to money to replace lost food or medicine, FEMA spokesman Michael Hart said, adding that assistance can be provided within days.
However, President-elect Donald Trump has criticized local and state officials who he believes have mishandled the situation.
“The fire is still burning in LA, the incompetent police have no idea how to put it out. Thousands of wonderful homes have been lost, and many more will be lost soon. There is death everywhere… They just can’t. Put the fire out?,” he said on his social media feed.
Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Chair Catherine Barger told reporters that Trump — who took office on Jan. 20 — had invited her to visit the county to see the damage firsthand.
Work weeks
At Altadena, the official Don Fregulia claimed to rule. Eaton (NYSE:) Fire and its impact will be a “huge, Herculean task,” which he said will take “several weeks of work.”
The two largest fires combined burned more than 36,000 acres (14,500 hectares) or 56 square miles (145 square km) — 2-1/2 times the land area of ​​Manhattan — making it one of the worst disasters in Los Angeles history.
Authorities declared a public health emergency due to heavy toxic fumes and poor air quality as the fire exposed metal, plastic and other man-made materials.
But progress has been reported in bringing electricity to Los Angeles neighborhoods. Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell said about 50,000 customers were now without power, down from half a million days ago.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimates the damage and economic losses at $135 billion to $150 billion, driving up the cost of homeowners insurance.
In his weekly address to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Pope Francis said, “I am close to the people of Los Angeles, where a devastating fire has been experienced in recent days; I am praying for all of you. ”
