LOS ANGELES. Two massive wildfires engulfing Los Angeles from the east and west have destroyed nearly 10,000 homes and structures as they continued to rage into a third night on Thursday. While fierce winds eased temporarily, giving firefighters a brief reprieve, authorities warned of worsening conditions.
The Palisades Fire, located between Santa Monica and Malibu, and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena have scorched a combined 34,000 acres (13,750 hectares), equivalent to about 53 square miles, making them the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ash, and officials estimate the destruction will grow further.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed seven fatalities across the affected areas but noted, “It looks like an atomic bomb dropped in these areas. I don’t expect good news, and we’re not looking forward to those numbers,” as search teams prepare to assess the full extent of the devastation.
Local authorities report that the Eaton Fire has damaged or destroyed 4,000 to 5,000 structures, while the Palisades Fire has consumed another 5,300.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the economic loss and damage at an astounding $135 billion to $150 billion, signaling a long road to recovery and a likely spike in homeowners’ insurance costs.
President Joe Biden, who declared a major disaster in California on Tuesday, assured federal support by pledging 100% reimbursement for recovery efforts over the next 180 days. These funds will cover debris removal, hazard mitigation, temporary shelters, and salaries for first responders.
“I told the governor and local officials to spare no expense to do what they need to do to contain these fires,” Biden said during a meeting with senior advisers at the White House.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass vowed to “aggressively rebuild the city of Los Angeles,” amidst criticisms from political figures, including President-elect Donald Trump, regarding her management of the crisis.
Five wildfires are currently active in Los Angeles County, with aerial firefighting units battling flames on hills and valleys. A new blaze, the Kenneth Fire, erupted near Calabasas, rapidly expanding to 960 acres (388 hectares) and further straining emergency resources.
A countywide evacuation alert was mistakenly issued, intended only for those near the Kenneth Fire. Officials quickly corrected the error, but the incident added to residents’ anxiety.
In the Pacific Palisades area, survivors returned to find their once-luxurious homes reduced to rubble. Brick chimneys stood amid charred remains of houses and vehicles. “We are alive. That’s all that matters,” said Bilal Tukhi, a private security guard who compared the devastation to his war-torn homeland of Afghanistan.
Schools remain closed as smoke and ash blanket the city, leaving the air hazardous to breathe. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced classes would be suspended for a second day on Friday.
The Eaton Fire threatened the historic Mount Wilson Observatory, where astronomer Edwin Hubble made groundbreaking discoveries about the universe. Fortunately, officials reported, “The flare-up of the Eaton Fire near the Observatory seems to be under control for now.”
Relief operations are gaining momentum, with firefighter reinforcements arriving from neighboring U.S. states and Canada. “To our American neighbors: Canada’s here to help,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Philanthropic efforts are also underway, with actor Jamie Lee Curtis pledging $1 million to relief operations. Chef Jose Andres, known for disaster relief initiatives, set up a food truck to provide meals near the Palisades Fire Zone. “Everybody needs support and love in these moments, wealthy or not, poor or not,” Andres remarked.
While progress was made in containing smaller fires, including the Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills, officials warned of red flag conditions persisting until Friday afternoon. With winds expected to intensify, Los Angeles remains on edge as firefighters and residents brace for the next chapter in this ongoing catastrophe.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
