Wildfires are wreaking havoc across Los Angeles, resulting in at least 10 fatalities, destroying hundreds of buildings, and forcing nearly 180,000 residents to evacuate.
Despite the relentless efforts of thousands of firefighters, the largest fires remain uncontained, with adverse weather and the effects of climate change expected to exacerbate the crisis in the coming days.
In LA County alone, 179,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders, fleeing their homes with only essential belongings.
Additionally, 200,000 others are on evacuation warnings, potentially needing to leave at short notice.
Over 10,000 structures have already been destroyed, marking this as the most destructive wildfire event in the county’s history, with another 60,000 buildings at risk.
Insured losses are projected to exceed $8 billion (£6.5 billion) due to the high value of properties affected.
Tragically, the death toll is expected to climb.
“The destruction we’re seeing is unprecedented,” remarked California Fire Chief David Acuna, who emphasized the ongoing danger and scale of the disaster.
Authorities have arrested a man suspected of starting a new blaze on Thursday.
To prevent looting, National Guard troops have been deployed in evacuated zones, and police report 20 arrests for related offenses.
Among those who lost their homes are celebrities like Leighton Meester, Adam Brody, James Woods, and Paris Hilton.
The wildfires are fueled by an exceptionally dry season—downtown Los Angeles has recorded just 0.16 inches (0.4 cm) of rain since October—and powerful Santa Ana winds, which sweep through southern California’s mountains from east to west.
These winds, according to the National Weather Service, drastically lower humidity, drying out vegetation and enabling fires to spread rapidly.
Gusts often reach speeds of 60-80 mph (95-130 km/h), with some hitting 100 mph (160 km/h).
While the strongest gusts have passed, forecasters warn of another “traditional Santa Ana wind event” expected Thursday night, potentially reigniting the threat.
“The combination of dry conditions and strong winds creates the perfect storm for fires to grow uncontrollably,” explained BBC weather forecaster Sarah Keith-Lucas, who added that no rain is forecast for at least a week.
Investigations into the cause of the fires are underway, but Chief Acuna noted, “There’s no conclusive evidence yet that these fires were deliberately started.”
Historically, utility equipment, such as power lines, has been responsible for igniting some of California’s most devastating fires, including the 2018 Camp Fire, which claimed 85 lives.
Despite the bleak outlook, there is a slight reprieve for firefighters as the fire weather alert has been downgraded from “extremely critical” to “critical.”
However, conditions remain perilous, with Acuna warning, “This is far from over.”
Source-BBC
