Islamabad, Jan 10: Officials say the two biggest wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area this week have burned at least 10,000 homes, buildings and other structures
Firefighters in Los Angeles are working to contain multiple wildfires that have claimed seven lives, destroyed over 10,000 structures, and forced mass evacuations across the region. Strong winds, though slightly subsided, continue to pose high fire risks, with major fires affecting Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and other areas.
Among those impacted is Ann Kerr, mother of Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors’ coach, who lost her Pacific Palisades home.
Five victims died in the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, and two lost their lives in the Palisades Fire.
The Palisades Fire between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city’s western flank and the Eaton Fire in the east near Pasadena already rank as the most destructive in Los Angeles history, consuming more than 34,000 acres (13,750 hectares) – or some 53 square miles – turning entire neighborhoods to ash.
Schools in the Los Angeles Unified District will remain closed, with several schools significantly damaged. Additional firefighters have been deployed to combat the Kenneth Fire, which has rapidly grown near West Hills. Meanwhile, the NFL has relocated the Rams-Vikings playoff game due to air quality concerns.
President Biden has authorized federal resources to aid California, while Canada has offered support. Vice President Harris and Biden have adjusted schedules to address the crisis, with Harris’ California home reportedly in the evacuation zone.
More than 285,000 residents are without electricity in Southern California, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide, while water and sewage infrastructure across the region have suffered extensive damage.
Tragic individual stories include Victor Shaw, who died attempting to protect his home, and Anthony Mitchell, who perished alongside his son, unwilling to leave him behind. Officials plan curfews in affected zones to ensure public safety as damages could reach $150 billion.
