Los Angeles Wildfires: Firefighting Op Sees Progress As Death Toll Reaches 10, Nighttime Curfew Imposed — Updates
by ABP News Bureau · abp LiveLos Angeles Wildfires: Gusty winds coming from the north and northeast in LA are expected to return on Sunday, which could start as many as three Santa Ana wind events in the upcoming week.
By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 10 Jan 2025 10:06 PM (IST)
At least 10 people have died and over 10,000 structures have been destroyed in the Los Angeles Wildfires.
Source : X@BernieSanders
The death toll in the Los Angeles wildfires has risen to 10 as the raging flames continue to engulf hillsides and streets in the county, destroying nearly 10,000 structures so far. Though Los Angeles is not out of danger yet, firefighters reported progress in the firefighting operations. However, the red flag weather in Los Angeles is likely to last through Friday as gusty winds that have been fanning the flames are expected to pick up again by Sunday.
A nighttime curfew has been imposed in Los Angeles fire areas, the sheriff informed, according to news agency AFP.
A report by the Los Angeles Times said that the gusty winds coming from the north and northeast are expected to return on Sunday, which could start as many as three Santa Ana wind events in the upcoming week.
"There is great concern that fire weather conditions could become exacerbated given the antecedent conditions, little rain across the area since the spring of 2024, and another offshore wind event on top of all of what we have seen," the National Weather Service said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said on Thursday that the death toll is likely to grow. "It looks like an atomic bomb dropped in these areas. I don't expect good news, and we're not looking forward to those numbers," Luna told a press conference.
5 Fires Still Burning Los Angeles
The Palisades fire has burned down 19,978 acres and multiple landmarks, businesses, and homes in the Pacific Palisades and westward along the Pacific Coast Highway towards Malibu. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the fire was contained six percent as of 5 AM on Friday morning, LA Times reported.
The Eaton fire on the other hand has burned 13,690 acres and several structures in Pasadena and Altadena. According to the California Fire Department, 0% of the fire had been contained as of Friday at 6 AM. Besides, additional evacuation orders were given on Thursday afternoon as the fire climbed toward Mt. Wilson. However, mandatory evacuations were lifted in Glenoaks Canyon and Chevy Chase Canyon as city officials notified residents that they could return to their homes.
Kenneth Fire has burned 960 acres near the Los Angeles and Ventura counties' border, leading to mandatory evacuation orders for areas around County Lane Road east to Valley Circle Boulevard in Woodland Hills and Vanowen Street south to Burbank Boulevard. According to a report by Reuters, the Kenneth fire is 35 percent under control.
Sunset Fire burned 60 acres in Hollywood and Hollywood Hills. The evacuation orders were lifted here on Thursday morning. The fire department has 100 percent contained the Sunset fire.
Hurst fire destroyed 771 acres around Sylmar. The California Fire department said that nearly 37 percent of the blaze was contained as of 8 PM on Thursday night. The evacuation orders have been lifted, LA Times reported.
Lidia fire, which has burned 394 acres in Acton, has been contained 75 percent.
The economic losses caused by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles could top $50 billion and is believed to be the most expensive natural disaster in the history of the United States, LA Times reported. Private forecaster AccuWeather, however, has estimated the damage and economic loss at $135 billion to $150 billion, Reuters reported.
Curfews Planned To Crack Down On Looting In Fire-Hit Areas, 20 Arrested
LA County Sheriff announced several measures on Thursday to increase security in areas that were evacuated after being destroyed by fires. Over 20 people have been arrested on suspicion of looting in the last few days.
"The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has officially requested the support of the California National Guard for both fires. They will be assisting us with traffic control and critical infrastructure protection," Luna said.
The National Guard Troops were deployed in some burn zones to ensure protection and avoid "continuous victimisation of people who have already ben victimsied".
Luna also said that the agency was working to implement a curfew impacted by Palisades fire in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton fire in Altadena. The curfew would last from 6 PM to 6 AM, LA Times reported.
Joe Biden Promises 100% Reimbursement
President Joe Biden declared the wildfires in Los Angeles a major disaster on Tuesday. He promised on Thursday that the federal government would reimburse 100 percent of the recovery for the next 3 months to pay for removal of debris and hazard material, temporary shelters, and salaries to first responders, Reuters reported.
After a meeting with senior advisers at the White House, Biden said: "I told the governor, local officials, spare no expense to do what they need to do and contain these fires."
Published at : 10 Jan 2025 09:55 PM (IST)
Tags :
Joe Biden California Los Angeles Wildfire Palisades Fire
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