Firefighters face challenges as strong winds return, complicating efforts to contain wildfires in Los Angeles County amid investigations into their origins
The upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood has taken a big hit, with areas burning down that are nearly three times the size of Manhattan. Over 153,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders, which is pretty serious.
The Palisades Fire, the largest of the three, has been devastating. It’s claimed eight lives, destroyed over 5,000 structures, and burned through 24,000 acres. People are starting to wonder how this fire started, especially since it’s the biggest one out there right now.
At a press conference, LA officials warned that hurricane-force winds are on their way back, which could make it even harder for firefighters to put out the flames. They’re trying to reassure everyone that they’re doing everything they can to keep people safe.
As of Monday morning, the combined death toll from the Palisades and Eaton fires has reached 24, with nine others still missing. While some smaller fires have been contained, the three major ones are still a work in progress.
The damage estimates are staggering, with AccuWeather predicting costs between $250 billion and $275 billion. If that’s accurate, it would make this firestorm the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history.
With nearly 9.7 million people living in LA County, which is more than most states, the impact is huge. The Palisades Fire is still only 14% contained, a slight improvement from 11% the day before, but the winds are expected to keep blowing through midweek.
Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the Palisades Fire and haven’t ruled anything out, including arson. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is leading the investigation.
Recent reports suggest the fire might have been reignited by smoldering embers from a smaller fire that started on New Year’s Eve. There’s also talk that it could have had human origins, especially since it began on a popular hiking trail.
As for the Eaton Fire, it has burned 14,117 acres and is the deadliest of the blazes, claiming 16 lives and destroying 1,213 structures. Fire crews have made some progress, bringing containment up to 33%.
The Hurst Fire in the northern San Fernando Valley is getting closer to being fully contained, now at 95%, which is a relief. Everyone is hoping for some good news soon as they continue to battle these wildfires.
