Over the last few days, wildfires have raged across Los Angeles, killing 25 people, destroying more than 12,000 homes and charring over 60 square miles. Authorities confirmed around 200,000 people had been evacuated and a curfew has been enforced in fire zones from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Firefighters are working tirelessly to battle against the fires as the region prepares for strong winds that could continue to fan the flames.
According to Cal Fire, the Palisades Fire, the largest of four currently burning in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, has spread across 23,713 acres with only 19 percent containment. The Eaton Fire covers 14,117 acres and is 45 percent contained. The smaller Hurst Fire, at 799 acres, is almost entirely under control. Meanwhile, the Auto Fire in Ventura County has scorched 61 acres since erupting Monday night and is 47 percent contained.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a windblown dust and ash advisory, warning residents of hazardous air quality. Forecasters said “extreme fire danger” would remain in place through Sunday, as winds were predicted to reach gusts up to 60 miles per hour. Those winds will be strong enough to create rare fire tornadoes, essentially miniature weather systems triggered by wildfires.
While the fires have left many L.A. residents without homes, authorities state that 70,250 people are without power as Southern California Edison activated its Public Safety Power Shutoffs in targeted areas to protect communities. More than 3,000 crew members have been deployed to address these outages.
As investigators work to determine the cause of the Palisades Fire, attention has turned to a popular Los Angeles hiking trail where another fire, the Lachman Fire, had burned six days earlier. The Lachman Fire began on January 1 and was limited to eight acres and did not destroy any structures. However, the Palisades Fire, which started on January 7, swiftly grew with strong Santa Ana winds, burning more than 23,000 acres and killing eight people.
As the destructive wildfires continue in Southern California, officials have emphasized safety precautions, including limiting outdoor activity and using N-95 masks to protect against hazardous air conditions.
The L.A wildfires have left several thousand of people in need and there are many ways to help. The American Red Cross of Los Angeles is providing emergency assistance and shelter to affected residents. The California Fire Foundation supports firefighters and their communities with financial and emotional assistance. The World Central Kitchen serves food to first responders and displaced residents, while Baby2Baby, a non-profit organization, is distributing essential goods to families with children. Donations can be made directly on the organizations’ official websites. Every contribution counts and helps bring relief during this crisis.
