 "Flames and smoke rise from structures as the Palisades fire burns on the west side of Los Angeles. Source: Reuters.")
At least 24 people have died in Los Angeles where wildfires have ripped through in California and three of them continue to rage amid a red flag warning of “explosive fire growth” through Wednesday.
The authorities fear that the toll may mount as California battles with the blaze.
3 wildfires currently raging in Los Angeles county
The three wildfires currently raging in Los Angeles county include:
1 - The Palisades fire, at 23,713 acres and 14 per cent containment.
2 - The Eaton fire, at 14,117 acres and 33 per cent containment.
3 - The Hurst fire, at 799 acres and 95 per cent containment.
No relief in sight
On Monday, the firefighters battled to contain the blaze raging across Los Angeles before red flag warning level winds in the region this week.
State and city officials have pre-deployed firefighters as fire weather is expected to continue in the Los Angeles area through Wednesday.
As per the National Weather Service, Red flag warnings will continue this week. “In other words, this setup is about as bad as it gets. Stay aware of your surroundings. Be prepared to evacuate. Avoid anything that can spark a fire,” the service posted on social media Monday.
Meanwhile, mayor Karen Bass informed that first responders and fire engines “have been pre-deployed in areas close to the Palisades fire and fire stations throughout the city”.
California governor Gavin Newsom, meanwhile said that “hundreds of firefighting assets are currently prepositioned across Southern California” in Los Angeles and other neighboring counties.
LA wildfires could be costliest disaster in US history
The government agencies have not yet provided preliminary estimates of the damage caused by the Los Angeles wildfires, but as per AccuWeather, a company that provides data on weather and its impact, the damage and economic losses approximately fall somewhere between $250 and $275 billion.
This far exceeds the cost of the damage caused by the Camp fire, California’s most destructive in 2018 ($30 billion) or the 2023 Maui fires ($5.7 billion). It’s also more than the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, which devastated six southern states last fall ($225 to $250 billion).
Impact Shorts
View AllTrump likely to visit Los Angeles
US-President elect Donald Trump is expected to visit Los Angeles to survey the damage wrought by wildfires over the past week. According to a report by CNN, his visit could occur as early as next week, after his inauguration on January 20, but no details have been finalised.
On Friday, California governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter to Trump inviting him to the state. The US President-elect has vocally criticised California’s elected officials for their handling of the wildfires.
With inputs from agencies.