Firefighters in Southern California have managed to gain some control over two massive wildfires that have devastated parts of Los Angeles for over a week. Despite the hazardous conditions, including desert winds and a parched landscape, around 8,500 firefighters from seven states and two countries held the fires at bay for a second consecutive day, preventing further expansion.
The Palisades Fire, located on the western edge of Los Angeles, has scorched 23,713 acres, with containment increasing to 17%. The Eaton Fire in the eastern foothills has affected 57 square kilometers, with containment rising to 35%. The fires, which began on January 7, have consumed an area the size of Washington, D.C., with aircraft dropping water and retardant into the rugged hills, while ground crews worked tirelessly to contain the blazes.
Southern California has seen a lack of significant rainfall since April, leaving the landscape vulnerable as Santa Ana winds from the desert whipped through canyons, spreading embers up to three kilometers ahead of the fires. The National Weather Service warned of red flag conditions lasting through the weekend, with wind gusts exceeding 80 km/h.
Governor Gavin Newsom reported that 11 new fires broke out overnight but were quickly extinguished due to advanced firefighting preparations. However, three other fires continue to burn in Ventura and Riverside counties. The death toll has risen to 25, with over 12,000 structures damaged or destroyed. Entire neighborhoods have been leveled, leaving only rubble and chimneys standing.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the destruction as unimaginable after taking an aerial tour of the affected areas. Approximately 88,000 residents remain under mandatory evacuation orders, with another 84,000 under evacuation warnings. This large-scale displacement marks an unprecedented crisis in the metropolitan area’s history.
Emergency teams are conducting house-by-house searches for lingering fires and hazards, including lithium-ion batteries linked to solar panels. Firefighters and sheriff’s deputies continue to work in the affected neighborhoods to ensure safety.
The Palisades Fire also threatened the J. Paul Getty Museum, home to priceless works of art by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Monet, and Degas. However, the museum’s fireproofed building has kept the collection safe. “It would be extremely foolish to try and remove artwork,” said Getty Trust President Katherine E. Fleming.
The fires have become the costliest wildfire in U.S. history, with private forecaster AccuWeather estimating damage between $250 billion and $275 billion. This would surpass Hurricane Katrina’s economic toll in 2005. Meanwhile, a political battle has emerged over emergency aid funding, with disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over the terms of assistance, further complicating the disaster response.
