The death toll has risen to 24, with 17 people still reported missing. Over 200,000 people have been forced to evacuate Los Angeles.
Mia Diaz, a Southern California resident, said, “The high-speed winds and dust have affected the air quality near my community. Therefore, it affects my overall health. In Los Angeles County, these fires are directly affecting people’s lives through the loss of homes and personal items.”
The Palisades Fire, on the western side of L.A., has destroyed approximately 5,000 structures and scorched over 23,000 acres, while also taking eight lives. The fire is currently only 17% contained.
Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire, on the northeastern side L.A., has destroyed more than 1,000 structures and burned through 14,000 acres, killing 16 people. This fire is 35% contained, as of Jan. 15th.
The Eaton and Palisades fires are now the second and fourth most destructive fires in California’s history.
Jackie Morales, a resident of L.A., said, “The air quality hasn’t been the best, and it’s sometimes hard to go outside. Not only that, but getting an evacuation notice is probably the scariest thing.”
As residents flee their homes, looters have targeted vulnerable communities. Los Angeles County law enforcement has arrested 20 individuals accused of looting homes in fire-affected areas.
Sheriff Robert Luna told NBC News, “I’m going to make it crystal clear to everybody out there. We are up to 20 individuals who chose to go into our areas and deprive these poor people, who have been through so much.”
Firefighters continue to face dangerous conditions with forecasts of powerful winds over the next few days.
The National Weather service issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of Southern California, lasting until Wednesday. Strong wind gusts of 50-70 mph are expected in the mountains and 45-50 mph along the coast.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said in an interview, “We’ve recently deployed materials from San Bernardino County to begin evacuation and firefighting efforts.”
Donations from across the country have provided much-needed relief. Celebrities, company executives, and athletes have made generous donations and volunteered their time.Beyoncé has donated $2.5 million to the newly launched LA Fire Relief Fund through the BeGOOD Foundation. Amazon has pledged $10 million to fire relief efforts. These donations have had a significant impact on the people of L.A.
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, firefighters suspect it was a human-caused blaze. Investigators have ruled out lightning due to the absence of storms in the area when the fires began. They are looking into an electrical transmission tower in Eaton Canyon as a possible cause of the Eaton Fire. Although rumors of arsonists starting the fires have circulated, investigators say this is highly unlikely.
The wildfires in L.A. have been tragic and devastating, affecting many communities and wildlife. It’s ideal for everyone to come together to support those impacted and work towards preventing tragedies in the future.