New Delhi:
Los Angeles authorities warned that the situation is expected to worsen in the coming days. The raging wildfires, which started last week, have left 16 people dead and more than 12,000 structures damaged or destroyed.
Here are 10 takeaways about this big story.
The largest fires, including the Eaton and Palisades fires, continue to grow and new evacuation orders were issued Saturday. The Palisades Fire burned 22,600 acres and was only 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire, which affected the Altadena area, burned 14,000 acres and was 15% contained. Winds of up to 120km/h are expected over the next few days. “What we’re concerned about is that the winds will pick up tonight and into Monday into Wednesday. The overall duration of these winds doesn’t look good,” a meteorologist was quoted as saying by the LA Times. The fire devastated the community, reducing entire neighborhoods to ashes. US President Joe Biden said the destruction resembled a “war scene”. A curfew has been imposed in the evacuation area to curb looting, and at least 20 arrests have been reported. Amid growing public frustration, California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered an independent review of the state’s preparedness and response. Concerns over lack of water during initial firefighting efforts sparked outrage, and search teams equipped with cadaver dogs began combing through the rubble to find victims. Authorities fear the death toll could rise. The fire destroyed approximately 12,000 structures, although not all were residential buildings. It has been confirmed that 426 homes have been lost in the largest fire so far. The wildfires released toxic smoke and Los Angeles County declared a public health emergency. Residents are encouraged to limit their exposure to the outdoors and use air filtration systems. A federal investigation is underway to determine the cause of the wildfire. Officials say such fires are often caused by natural factors, but human activity cannot be ruled out. Experts say climate change is a key factor in increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and dry vegetation create ideal conditions for fires to spread quickly, putting more communities at risk. The FBI is investigating a drone incident related to wildfires. A civilian drone collided with a Canadian Super Scooper aircraft that was fighting the Palisades fire. After the collision, the plane was forced to land. In addition to Canada, Mexico also participated in rescue and firefighting efforts in California. More than 14,000 firefighters from Mexico are on the scene in the US state to battle the Palisades Fire.
