Firefighters are engaged in a fierce struggle to contain five wildfires that have erupted in the Los Angeles Area. These devastating blazes have wreaked havoc on communities stretching from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena, prompting the evacuation of more than 180,000 residents from their homes.
In recent days, the most significant wildfires have persisted, raging uncontrollably despite the tireless efforts of firefighters. Officials said on Thursday the winds that intensified the fires earlier this week have somewhat subsided, hopefully allowing firefighters an opportunity to make progress.
The New York Times reports that at least five people have also died in the flames that have scorched over 29,000 acres, roughly the size of about 22,000 football fields. Robert Luna, the Los Angeles County Sheriff, said some areas “look like a bomb was dropped in them” and that “I think the death toll will rise.”
As of Thursday, the Palisades Fire has burned at least 15,000 acres and remains 0% contained, continuing to pose a significant threat. The Eaton Fire, which has scorched 10,000 acres, is also 0% contained, leaving firefighters battling to prevent further spread. The Hurst Fire has consumed 671 acres, with containment efforts showing modest progress at 10%. Meanwhile, the Lidia Fire has affected 348 acres and is 40% contained, making it one of the more controlled fires in the region. The Sunset Fire, which burned 60 acres, has now been fully contained.
In a news conference Thursday morning, chair of the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Kathryn Barger said that authorities were working “hand in hand” across jurisdictions.
“Wildfires do not care about jurisdictional boundaries.”
The fires began on Tuesday with the Palisades fire, with other fires erupting in the hours after. On Wednesday, hurricane-force winds had reached gusts of up to 80 mph (129 kph), carrying embers that sparked fires across multiple blocks in the neighborhood of Pacific Palisades and in Altadena, a nearby community to Pasadena. Much of the spread has been attributed to strong winds.
The recent wildfires—the Palisades and Eaton fires—have destroyed thousands of homes, businesses, and various structures, with projections indicating that this number may continue to rise. So far, the five fatalities were reported to be due to the Eaton Fire in the vicinity of Pasadena. Those two fires are no longer spreading. However, both remain at 0% containment.
According to AP News, the primary fires rapidly spread across regions with two similar characteristics— densely packed buildings in areas of lots of dry vegetation, which is highly susceptible to catching fire.
The fires spread so rapidly that many citizens had little time to escape, with many abandoning their vehicles on roads, complicating efforts of firefighters and other rescue personnel.
In Pasadena, Fire Chief Chad Augustin said Wednesday that the city’s water system was under significant strain, further burdened by power outages. However, even without those challenges, firefighters would struggle to contain the rapidly spreading fire due to the weather.
“Those erratic wind gusts were throwing embers for multiple miles ahead of the fire.”
Firefighting crews successfully contained a significant blaze that erupted Wednesday evening in the Hollywood Hills, near the epicenter of the entertainment industry. By Thursday morning, evacuation orders in the area were lifted.
Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott said they were able to contain the fire because “We hit it hard and fast, and Mother Nature was a little nicer to us today than she was yesterday.”
According to LA Mayor Karen Bass, aircraft that dropped water played a crucial role in assisting fire crews in gaining some control over the fires in Hollywood Hills and Studio City. However, strong winds forced the grounding of those aircraft, resulting in ongoing destruction across several fires.
On Thursday, significant wind gusts continued to present a threat, yet the weather forecast hinted at a potential break for firefighters.
The actual damage of the fires is still unknown. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has indicated that the death toll is likely to increase as cadaver dogs and search teams begin their efforts to sift through the rubble.
LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley stated, “It is safe to say that the Palisades fire is one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles.”
The Palisades Fire has become the most devastating wildfire recorded in the history of Los Angeles. AP News reports that 250 homes in Altadena have been destroyed. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies reveals that only a handful of homes are still standing, with some continuing to burn. In Malibu, just 70 homes that overlook the Pacific Ocean have been reported as remaining intact.
California is experiencing an increasingly prolonged wildfire season, with fires starting earlier and extending later into the year. Rising temperatures and decreased rainfall, both consequences of climate change, have been identified as contributing factors. Rainstorms, typically signaling the conclusion of wildfire season, have been arriving later than usual, resulting in wildfires still igniting into the winter months.
Moumita Basuroychowdhury is a Contributing Reporter at The National Digest. After earning an economics degree at Cornell University, she moved to NYC to pursue her MFA in creative writing. She enjoys reporting on science, business and culture news. You can reach her at moumita.b@thenationaldigest.com.
