Los Angeles hit by devastating fires. Two dead and tens of thousands evacuated. Firefighters are battling the flames in extreme conditions, with winds of more than 160 km/h. Is the worst yet to come?
Los Angeles is hit by a wave of deadly fires of rare violence. As powerful winds continue to fan the flames, the toll rises. According to sources close to emergency services, two people lost their lives and numerous injuries were reported. Faced with the intensity of the fires, tens of thousands of residents had to be urgently evacuated.
A fierce fight against the flames
Firefighters are waging a relentless battle against three major fires that are simultaneously ravaging the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The largest, located in Pacific Palisades, an upscale neighborhood where many celebrities live, has already covered more than 2,000 hectares. In its path, it destroyed nearly a thousand buildings according to the county fire chief.
Despite a massive mobilization of relief, the fight promises to be long and difficult. The Santa Ana winds, typical of the Californian winter, blow with rare intensity, up to 160 km/h in places. Enough to spread the flames at lightning speed and considerably complicate the task of the fire fighters.
A heavy human toll
Although the extent of the material damage is already considerable, it is the human toll that is most worrying. According to sources close to the operations, two civilians lost their lives, while numerous serious injuries were reported, including at least one firefighter. The exact causes of these deaths remain unknown at this time.
-Faced with the uncontrollable progression of the fires, the authorities had to carry out massive evacuations. Tens of thousands of residents had to leave their homes in a hurry, sometimes leaving behind all their belongings. Scenes of chaos were observed, with monster traffic jams and abandoned luxury vehicles.
Is the worst yet to come?
Despite considerable resources deployed, the fires currently appear to be out of control. Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, warned that the situation was likely to get worse during the day with further intensification of the winds. Faced with this threat, a state of emergency was declared by President Joe Biden, allowing federal aid to be released.
Events and ceremonies planned in the region had to be canceled preemptively, such as a film premiere with Jennifer Lopez or the Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony. The concern is such that even evacuation sites do not seem safe. A race against time is underway to contain the flames before they reach the most populated areas.
As global warming makes this type of disaster more and more frequent, Los Angeles is facing one of the most devastating fires in recent history. A new sign, if one was needed, of the urgency to act against the disruption of our climate. In the meantime, an entire city is holding its breath, praying that the tide will finally turn.
