Los Angeles: Massive wildfires continue to rage across Los Angeles, leaving at least 24 people dead and thousands of homes in ruins. California Governor Gavin Newsom has called it one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history.
The fires, which have been burning for six consecutive days, have spread across two major zones the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire. Officials confirmed that eight victims were found in the Palisades Fire zone, while 16 were discovered in Eaton Fire’s path. Among those killed was former Australian child star Rory Sykes, known for his role in the British TV show Kiddy Kapers.
The Palisades Fire has now scorched 23,600 acres and is only 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire has spread to 14,000 acres with 15% containment. Firefighters also reported a rare fire tornado in the San Fernando Valley, adding to the extreme conditions.
More than 12,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, forcing over 100,000 people to evacuate. Economic losses are estimated to be between $135 billion and $150 billion. Hollywood celebrities, including Anthony Hopkins, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, and Billy Crystal, have also lost their homes in the disaster.
Firefighters received a temporary break as the powerful Santa Ana winds eased over the weekend. However, officials warn that winds could pick up again, reaching speeds of 96 km/h from Sunday night to Wednesday.
Governor Newsom has vowed to help the city rebuild, stating that planning for “L.A. 2.0” is already underway. Meanwhile, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump criticized California’s handling of the disaster, blaming officials for failing to control the flames.
Authorities have launched a large-scale investigation to determine the cause of the fires. While some wildfires are started deliberately, many occur naturally and play a role in the environment’s life cycle. Officials are now racing to contain the blaze as the state faces one of its worst wildfire disasters in history.