Firefighters are trying to pre-empt a blaze sweeping Los Angeles before expected strong winds threaten its progress. The fire could be the costliest in U.S. history, killing at least 24 people, displacing thousands, destroying more than 12,000 structures and forcing 100,000 people to evacuate.
Forecasters said sustained winds of up to 40 mph (64 kph) were expected through Wednesday, with gusts up to 65 mph (105 kph) in the mountains. Fire behavior analyst Dennis Burns said winds had picked up on Monday and were expected to pick up even more on Tuesday.
And as Los Angeles holds its breath in anticipation of more strong winds, stories continue to emerge of victims who lost their lives, residents whose homes were destroyed, and historic buildings and businesses burned to the ground.
The wildfire broke out last Tuesday, fanned by fierce Santa Ana winds, and forecasters expect it to pick up steam again through at least the middle of the week. Cal Fire reported that the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires have burned approximately 62 square miles (160 square kilometers).
Eight people died in the coastal Palisades Fire, and 16 people died in the Eaton Fire inland, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. At least 23 people are missing, and authorities said the number is expected to rise.
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire. These could be the most expensive items in this country’s history. Government agencies have not yet released preliminary damage figures, but AccuWeather, a weather and impact data company, estimates damage and economic losses at between $250 billion and $275 billion.
The National Weather Service issued an unusual warning of “particularly hazardous conditions” related to severe fire conditions that began Monday into Tuesday night.
Santa Ana’s strong winds were said to be the main reason the wildfire turned into an inferno, scorching the entire Los Angeles and surrounding area, which had not seen significant rain in more than eight months.
LA County Recovers, a government-run program, posted an interactive map on its website showing damaged homes and other structures.
Maps for the Eaton and Palisades fires allow users to click on icons to get a description of the type of structure, such as a home or commercial building, and the type of damage, such as “extensive” or “destructed.”
You can find a specific location by entering the address in the search bar. Users can also view photos of damaged buildings.
Price gouging is a problem for hotels, short-term rentals, medical supplies, and more. Authorities say the scammers are also soliciting donations for fake relief efforts.
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Over the past week, fires have threatened and consumed several heavily populated areas, including the Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
Real estate data tracking firm CoreLogic says the cost of rebuilding commercial and residential properties within the fire-affected areas could be $14.8 billion. This estimate is based on more than 16,500 buildings that may have been damaged by previous fires, including the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire near Los Angeles. The company noted that not all properties in areas charred by the fire were necessarily damaged or may have sustained damage equal to the full cost of rebuilding.
Authorities on Monday lowered the number of people under evacuation orders from about 150,000 to fewer than 100,000. However, it warned that further evacuation orders could be issued if strong winds return this week.
Cal Fire reported the Palisades Fire was 14% contained and the Eaton Fire 33% contained as of Monday morning. These two fires have burned a combined approximately 38,000 acres since they started last Tuesday.
The Kenneth Fire near West Hills in the San Fernando Valley has been completely extinguished, while the Hearst Fire is 95% contained.
