Eleven people are dead, and 13 others are reported missing due to the destructive wildfires that recently hit Los Angeles in the United States. Officials stated that most of these fires remain uncontained, CNN reported.
Currently, cadaver dogs and search crews are investigating the scorched rubble of neighborhoods after the most destructive wildfire in the city’s history.
Meanwhile, authorities have warned people to stay out of the water on beaches across a swathe of the coastline due to severe contamination from the fires. Furthermore, thousands of firefighters are trying to contain at least five sprawling wildfires spread around the Los Angeles area.
Where are the fires?
California fire officials have reported that there are four fires raging in the wider area, as follows:
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Palisades
The first fire to erupt on Tuesday and the biggest in the region. It can be considered as the most destructive fire in state history. It has destroyed over 22,660 acres, including the upmarket Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Crucially, firefighters contained 11% as of midday Saturday. The fire grew by 1,000 acres overnight.
Currently, the fire is moving east, posing a threat into the wealthy neighborhood of Brentwood, home to the Getty Center, a world-famous art museum that has now been evacuated.
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Eaton
The fire has hit the northern part of Los Angeles, blazing through cities such as Altadena. As the second biggest fire in the area, Eaton fire has burned nearly 14,000 acres. It is 15% contained
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Hurst
Located just north of San Fernando, the fire started on Tuesday night and has grown to 799 acres, and is 76% contained
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Kenneth
This fire broke out on Thursday on the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
It so far covers more than 1,052 acres. The fire’s progress has been stopped, and it has been 80% contained, with no structures damaged or destroyed.
The earlier Archer, Sunset, Lidia, Woodley and Olivas fires have been contained.
Huge Damage
Eight deaths have been confirmed in the Eaton fire and another three in the Palisades fire. Officials say they are investigating reports of another 13 people missing, BBC reported.
In addition, over 153,000 people are under evacuation orders in Los Angeles County, according to local authorities. Another 166,000 have received evacuation warnings.
The destructive fires have burned more than 12,000 structures including homes, outbuildings, sheds, mobile homes as well as cars.
As for the Eaton fire, over 7,000 structures have been destroyed. Meanwhile, the Palisades fire has destroyed approximately 5,300 structures, including at least 426 houses.
What are the causes of the fires?
The reason behind the fires is basically a combination between an exceptionally dry period and powerful offshore gusts known as the Santa Ana winds in Los Angeles. These conditions have created ripe conditions for wildfires.
According to the National Weather Service, Santa Ana winds flow east to west through southern California’s mountains.
Consequently, the winds can also be responsible for the scale of destruction that follows.
US President Joe Biden stated on Friday that while firefighters were “able to partially prevent” some of the fires from spreading, winds would remain a threat until early next week.
Crucially, the police officers are investigating into the initial reason that sparked the fires.
“If it is determined that there is a man-made and intentional setting of any of the fires involved in this situation, the people who committed this arson will be arrested, they will be prosecuted and they will be punished to the full extent of the law,” LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.
The role of climate change
Strong winds and lack of rain are main reasons for wildfires. However, experts say climate change is increasing the likelihood of such fires.
It is worth mentioning that much of the western United States including California experienced a long drought that ended just two years ago, making the region vulnerable.
“Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says.
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