More than 12,000 homes, buildings and vehicles were destroyed or damaged, and entire neighborhoods razed by the flames. Some 88,000 people are still displaced.
Los Angeles knows no respite: hot and powerful winds continue to blow and further fan the flames which have disfigured the second city in the United States for a week. This Tuesday, January 14, the authorities updated the sad toll, which now stands at at least 25 dead. The American weather services (NWS) warned this Wednesday of gusts of up to 110 km/h between 3 a.m. (12 p.m. in France) and 3 p.m. (midnight Thursday in France).
Parts of Los Angeles County and neighboring Ventura County have been placed on emergency status. “particularly dangerous situation”. The very low humidity level and the very dry vegetation can lead to “ultra-rapid expansion of fire” in certain areas, warn meteorologists, who have also placed a large part of Southern California on red alert. The damage is immense: more than 12,000 homes, buildings and vehicles were destroyed or damaged, and entire neighborhoods razed.
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Some 88,000 people are still displaced and at least 25 dead, according to a new report. Refusing to leave the apartment complex he manages in Pacific Palisades, Jeff Ridgway told AFP he saved it from the flames by drawing buckets of water from the swimming pool to extinguish a dangerously close eucalyptus tree. “It was war”said this sixty-year-old. “But I was stubborn, I fought”. Fred Busche, another resident, was less fortunate. “My house burned down, I know that. I saw photos: only the chimney remains. But I need to see it with my own eyes to believe it.”he told AFP.
“Everything will be fine”
The two main fires covered 9,700 hectares in the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, and more than 5,700 in the town of Altadena, just north of Los Angeles. An investigation to determine the causes of the fires was launched Tuesday by federal authorities, who warned, however, that it would take time. “We know you want answers, (you) deserve it. The ATF will give you (some) answers once the investigation is complete and thorough”declared Jose Medina, representing this agency in charge in particular of explosives and weapons.
For days, teams accompanied by dogs have been searching the ruins for victims. On Monday, 1,800 homes were inspected, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “The good news is that we didn’t find any bodies.”he indicated. These fires, among the worst in California’s history, could be the costliest ever known: between $250 and $275 billion according to preliminary estimates from the private company AccuWeather.
Hundreds of thousands of children returned to school on Monday, but schools located in evacuated areas remain closed. In total, thousands of firefighters are on the job. Human and material reinforcements, including dozens of tank trucks, were sent. They were mobilized in particular for a new outbreak which broke out late Monday, in Oxnard, 80 km from Los Angeles.
“Fine dust”
After problems fighting flames in the Pacific Palisades area due to dry or low-pressure hydrants, which notably led to criticism of fire management, Fire Chief Anthony Marrone assured Tuesday that ‘there were many “water and pressure” in the Altadena area. Target of this criticism, notably coming from the next Republican President of the United States Donald Trump, the Democratic Governor of California Gavin Newsom asked “a comprehensive independent review” of Los Angeles Water Utilities.
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He also ordered clearance teams on Tuesday to be ready to intervene, authorities fearing that winter storms could cause mudslides. Health services have also warned of the health risks linked to smoke and ashes generated by the blazes and moved by the winds. “The ashes are not just dirt. It is fine dust that can irritate or damage your respiratory system and other parts of your body.warned Anish Mahajan, of the county public health department. The authorities called on the population to wear a mask.
The Santa Ana winds, which fanned the flames at breakneck speed, are a classic of Californian autumns and winters. But this time they reached an intensity not seen since 2011, according to meteorologists, with gusts blowing 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. Scientists regularly point out that climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events.
