UPDATE ON THE SITUATION – The efforts of thousands of firefighters made it possible to partially control the two main fires. But after a short lull, the hot and dry winds should strengthen from this Tuesday.
Besieged by flames since last Tuesday, the second most populous city in the United States continues to count its dead: the toll increased Sunday evening to 24 people dead, according to the authorities. The city of angels is preparing for a return of violent winds on Monday, January 13, which threaten to fan the fires. Le Figaro takes stock of the situation.
It will take “tens of billions of dollars” to rebuild, says Biden
US President Joe Biden said on Monday that “tens of billions of dollars” will be necessary for reconstruction in Los Angeles after the serious damage caused by the very violent fires which have besieged it for almost a week. “It will cost tens of billions of dollars to restore Los Angeles to the state it was.”he said, at a time when the large Californian city is preparing for a return of violent winds, threatening to fan the fires which have killed at least 24 people. “We will continue to use all the means at our disposal to help fight the fires”the American president pledged.
The state’s governor said Sunday he wanted to launch a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild California.
Donald Trump reportedly plans visit to California next week
US President-elect Donald Trump plans to visit California after his inauguration on January 20 to assess the damage caused by the fires and assess emergency needs, Reuters understands, citing a source. aware of the program. The trip could take place at the end of next week. “As for California, President-elect Trump intends to go there, the timing remains to be determined,” the source was quoted as saying.
24 victims, the city continues to count its dead
Besieged by flames since last Tuesday, the second most populous city in the United States continues to count its dead: the toll increased Sunday evening to 24 people dead, according to the authorities. In the ravaged neighborhoods, rescuers assisted by dogs continue to inspect the rubble in search of bodies. “It’s a very trying task, and unfortunately, we come across bodies every day”deplores Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
Winds are expected to strengthen on Tuesday
The efforts of thousands of firefighters, including those from neighboring Mexico, made it possible to partially control the two main fires. But after a short lull, the hot and dry winds should strengthen from Tuesday. American weather services “predict winds close to hurricane force”warned Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass at a press conference. Forecasts indicate a “extreme risk of fire” and “particularly dangerous situation”with winds that will peak at 110 km/h from Tuesday morning, said meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld. Videos show “fire tornadoes,” which only occur in the most intense fires.
The firefighters on site have received human and material reinforcements, including dozens of tanker trucks, and are ready to deal with the situation, said their chief in Los Angeles County.
The Santa Ana winds that fanned the fire are a classic of Californian autumns and winters. But this time they reached an intensity not seen since 2011, with gusts of up to 160 km/h last week. Enough to spread the fire at lightning speed, especially since two very rainy years had given rise to luxuriant vegetation, which then dried up over the course of eight months without precipitation.
No return to normal for 100,000 evacuees
Any return of evacuees was stopped until Thursday because of the expected strengthening of the wind, firefighters warned, calling for patience from the tens of thousands of residents queuing, sometimes for hours, in the hope of recovering medicines or clothes at home, or simply to see if their house was destroyed or not.
Although schools have reopened, nearly 100,000 people remain affected by an evacuation order. The influx of evacuees and people to be housed is another challenge for the city, and there are reports of opportunistic landlords raising their rent. More than 12,000 homes, buildings and vehicles have been destroyed or damaged by the fires, which could be the costliest ever known, according to provisional estimates.
Faced with the looting, a curfew between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. is in force in the most ravaged areas. Local authorities announced the arrest of dozens of people on Sunday.
Authorities criticized
Many residents are beginning to criticize the management of local authorities, firefighters having sometimes had to deal with dry hydrants or with low pressure. The state’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, asked “a comprehensive independent review” city water distribution services. Donald Trump once again attacked local leaders on Sunday, described as “incompetent politicians”. An investigation involving the FBI to determine the causes of the fires is underway.
California Governor Slams Elon Musk for “Lies”
California Governor Gavin Newsom accused billionaire Elon Musk of spreading “lies” on the authorities’ response to the fires ravaging Los Angeles. President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk, boss of Tesla and SpaceX, destined to play a major role with the Republican, have increased their criticism in recent days with regard to the management by the Californian authorities of these fires which have caused least 24 dead.
In a message on his X platform, Elon Musk blamed these devastating fires on a “poor governance at the state and local level, which resulted in water shortages”. “The lies (the musk) highlighted by the firefightersreplied Gavin Newsom on Sunday evening in a message on X accompanied by a video of the tycoon asking a firefighter why there was a problem with the water supply. The latter replied that this was not the case and that there was water in “multiple tanks”.
Gavin Newsom also accused the richest man in the world of“encouraging looting with its lies” after he relayed on X a post falsely asserting that the governor of California and his Democratic colleagues had “decriminalized looting”.
Oscar nominees luncheon canceled
The Academy of Oscars announced Monday the cancellation of the traditional and sumptuous nominees’ luncheon at a time when Los Angeles, cradle of the American film industry, is still in the grip of devastating fires. The nominations will be announced online on January 23 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the precious statuettes. The traditional lunch, initially planned in Beverly Hills on February 10, was simply canceled.
“We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the immense loss suffered by so many people in our community”said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang. “The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are determined to stick together through difficulty”they added.
