The scope of the many fires raging in Los Angeles for five days, which resulted in the death of at least 11 people, has expanded to affect new areas that were spared from the flames.
These fires destroyed entire parts of the second largest American city, destroying more than 12,000 buildings and 15,000 hectares of land. US President Joe Biden said, during a meeting at the White House, that the scene was “more like a war zone and bombing operations.”
Despite the large numbers of firefighters participating in containing the fires, evacuation orders were issued for the eastern part of Pacific Palisades, in an area that especially includes the Getty Center. 125,000 masterpieces of art are displayed in this famous museum, partly built with fire-resistant stone.
The winds, which decreased in speed on Friday, are expected to intensify starting Saturday, according to the Federal Natural Disaster Response Agency, which weakens hopes of containing this disaster.
Although it is too early to know the cause of the fires, there has been criticism of the authorities’ preparedness and response.
“There is a continuing shortage of crews, resources and funds,” firefighting chief Christine Crowley told KTTV, a Fox News affiliate.
But during a press conference, held on Saturday in the presence of Crowley, Mayor Karen Bass downplayed the importance of the prevailing tensions, stressing that political officials, relief and security agencies were “all on the same wavelength.”
curfew
On Saturday, Pope Francis expressed “sorrow” over the lives lost and damage, expressing “spiritual sympathy” for those afflicted in this “tragedy,” according to a telegram he addressed to the Archbishop of Los Angeles.
In light of the widespread looting in the affected or evacuated areas, the authorities imposed a strict curfew that applies between six in the evening and six in the morning in the most affected areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
In light of the extent of the damage, California Governor Gavin Newsom requested, on Friday, a “comprehensive independent review” of the city’s water distribution devices. He described the lack of water supply and the loss of pressure in fire hydrants in the first moments, which caused the fires to expand, as “very worrying.”
“We need answers to find out what happened,” he wrote in an open letter.
At least 11 people died in the fires, according to a new toll announced by the authorities.
The main fire, out of four fires still active, has consumed more than eight thousand hectares on the coast of Malibu and the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where firefighting teams confirmed that they had controlled 11 percent of the flames on Saturday morning.
Among those who lost their homes was actor Mel Gibson, who told the Nation that he was very shocked to lose his home in Malibu.
Nicole Perry, whose home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed by fire, said in a statement to Agence France-Presse that the authorities had “completely abandoned” the residents.
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, who severed their relationship with the British royal family in 2020 and moved to California, came to console the afflicted in Pasadena.
Hundreds of thousands of homes were evacuated in Los Angeles as evacuation orders continued, some of which were issued in error.
Military reinforcements were deployed, while dozens of people were arrested.
Criticisms
The authorities called on California residents to conserve water because three tanks supplying firefighting stations were empty.
The cost of these fires may be the highest recorded to date. AccuWeather estimated damage and losses at between 135 and 150 billion dollars.
President Biden considered that “many demagogues” are trying to exploit the misinformation that is spreading about the disaster.
Biden did not name specific people, but his Republican successor, Donald Trump, published a large amount of false information on his network, “Truth Social.”
He said in particular that California lacks water because of the Democrats’ environmental policies, which were using rainwater to protect “useless fish.”
The wind that is blowing today is known as “Santa Ana,” and it is common in the fall and winter seasons in California. But this week, it has reached an intensity unprecedented since 2011, according to meteorologists.
These winds constitute a nightmare for firefighters because California had two very rainy years that led to the revival of vegetation, which is now withering due to the dry winter that the region is witnessing.
Scientists regularly point out that climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events.
