Finally a lull. The numerous fires raging in Los Angeles for the fourth day in a row have caused at least eleven deaths, according to a latest report. But the wind which fanned the flames began to weaken on Friday January 10, promoting the action of firefighters. These latter said they were beginning to control the flames of the largest fire, among the five that are still active, on the Malibu coast and the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Follow our live stream.
First night under curfew. Faced with increasing looting in disaster-stricken or evacuated areas, a strict curfew, in force between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., was decreed Friday by the authorities in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena sectors, the most ravaged.
Controversy over water resources. Given the extent of the damage, California Governor Gavin Newsom asked Friday “a comprehensive independent review” city water distribution services. The Democratic official described it as “deeply disturbing” the lack of water supply and loss of pressure at hydrants in the early stages of the fires, which helped allow them to expand.
A colossal material toll. Entire sections of the second largest city in the United States are devastated: more than 10,000 buildings have been destroyed and more than 14,000 hectares have gone up in smoke. These violent fires could be the costliest on record: AccuWeather estimates total damages and losses at between $135 billion and $150 billion.
