Los Angeles is burning. 🔥🔥
Wildfires have torn through the city, devouring thousands of homes and leaving at least 10 people dead. The flames show no sign of stopping as five major fires continue to rage into their third night, fueled by strong desert winds.
On the city's western edge, the Palisades Fire between Santa Monica and Malibu has become one of the most destructive in LA's history. It has scorched over 34,000 acres (that's about 53 square miles!), turning entire neighborhoods to ash.
Even Hollywood isn't safe. A wildfire ripped through an upscale coastal area overnight, forcing celebrities to flee their homes by car and on foot. 😱🏃♀️🏃♂️
The death toll has tragically risen to 10, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. And officials fear it could get worse. Sheriff Robert Luna painted a grim picture: \"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.\"
With damages estimated between $135 billion to $150 billion, recovery won't be easy. Mayor Karen Bass promised to \"aggressively rebuild the city of Los Angeles,\" even as she faces criticism over her handling of the disaster.
President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster and pledged federal support. \"I told the governor, local officials, spare no expense to do what they need to do and contain these fires,\" he said.
The battle is far from over. The Palisades Fire is only 6% contained, and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena isn't contained at all. Firefighters are working tirelessly, with skies buzzing as aircraft drop water and retardant on the flames.
But it's not just the fires causing chaos. A large Super Scooper aircraft was damaged after colliding with a civilian drone near the Palisades Fire. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it's a stark reminder to keep drones grounded during such emergencies.
On Thursday, a new blaze erupted near Calabasas, home to many celebrities and some of the most expensive real estate in the U.S. The Kenneth Fire exploded to 960 acres in just hours, adding to the city's woes.
Tensions are high, and mistakes happen. Los Angeles County accidentally sent a countywide evacuation notice to 9.6 million people instead of just those near the Kenneth Fire. Oops! They quickly sent a correction, but not before sparking a bit of panic.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these devastating fires. Stay safe out there, LA! ❤️🩹
Reference(s):
Los Angeles wildfires devour thousands of homes, at least 10 dead
cgtn.com
