Los Angeles fires Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters
Devastating fires have been raging in Los Angeles for five days now, killing at least 16 people and destroying thousands of buildings. The Pacific Palisades and Altadena districts have been hit hardest, with more than 150,000 people evacuated. According to the authorities, more than 12,000 properties have been destroyed or damaged, and the total losses could reach tens of billions of dollars, CBC News reports.
The fire, which broke out on Tuesday, spread rapidly thanks to strong Santa Ana winds that reached speeds of up to 160 km/h. The fires destroyed dense vegetation that had grown after two rainy years and dried up due to the drought of the past eight months.
Criticism of the authorities
Residents of Los Angeles are increasingly questioning the effectiveness of the authorities. Mayor Karen Bass assured that all services are coordinating their actions, but firefighters complain about insufficient funding, low water pressure and empty hydrants. California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an independent investigation into the causes of the large-scale crisis.
Rental prices in the disaster area have skyrocketed, creating additional hardship for evacuees. The state’s attorney general warned that artificially inflating prices could lead to fines of $10,000 and a year in prison.
Rescue efforts
Thousands of firefighters, including specially trained dogs, are working to search for victims among the ruins. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said that an investigation into the causes of the tragedy is underway, and it is possible that the fires could have been caused by criminal activity.
To prevent looting in the affected areas, a curfew was imposed from 18:00 to 06:00.
Threat to unique objects
The fire reached the northwestern parts of the city, threatening the San Fernando Valley and the famous Getty Museum with its priceless art collections.
The fires in Los Angeles are among the largest and most destructive in California’s history, demonstrating the need for comprehensive changes in the way we deal with natural disasters.
