In Los Angeles, the search for victims continues as the fires have killed at least 27 people

Ten days after the start of the fires which continue to rage in Los Angeles, police on horseback and agents accompanied by dogs inspect the disaster areas on Friday in search of victims, in the charred buildings and even in certain steep areas.

Dozens of people are still missing and at least 27 have died from the fires in Altadena, north of Los Angeles, and in the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood in the city’s west. They destroyed more than 16,000 hectares, an area almost as large as the capital Washington, and led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.

Win their house

Among some evacuees, frustration is mounting with the authorities who prevent them from returning home – even if their homes escaped the flames – because of invisible dangers such as potential landslides or the risk of pollution by toxic substances. Nina Madok, who lost her home in Pacific Palisades, told AFP that an information meeting held Thursday evening for evacuees had not “useless”. “We need local leaders to answer our questions now… not these charlatans”she decided.

Authorities said Thursday it would be at least a week before evacuees could return home. Some were still able to return to their homes, particularly in Topanga County, west of Pacific Palisades, says the Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, under fire for her management of the crisis, announced Friday the appointment of a manager responsible for organizing the reconstruction.

“Every square centimeter”

Teams accompanied by sniffer dogs continue their painstaking searches in Altadena, where at least 5,718 buildings have been destroyed, causing «Eaton Fire» the 2^e most destructive fire in California history according to state firefighters. “We look at each building one by one and search every square inch to try to find someone”pointed out Dan Paige, who helps coordinate search operations in the city.

The fire in Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood located between Malibu and Santa Monica, destroyed at least 2,869 buildings. Above Malibu, police officers roam the steep, brushy hills on horseback. All affected areas must be raked before they can reopen to the public, even when no specific information suggests a human presence.

Authorities still advise against approaching the coastline due to runoff from fire debris. “Ash from Los Angeles fires can enter coastal waters through surface water runoff and wind-blown ash […] Ashes may contain substances such as arsenic, other metals and asbestos, which may be harmful to human health.they indicated in a press release relayed by the Los Angeles Times.

Firefighters applauded

As thousands of firefighters continue their efforts to put out the flames and are tested psychologically, signs thanking them are popping up all over Los Angeles, even outside the studio where host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel is taping a famous television show. A video posted by TMZ showed firefighters in uniform applauded and cheered by customers of a restaurant in Calabasas, near Malibu, after a meal offered, according to this celebrity news site, by the establishment and the customers.

These praises addressed to the firefighters contrast with the frontal attacks of President-elect Donald Trump against Gavin Newsom, the Democratic governor of California, on the management of fires by local authorities. Donald Trump, who returns to the White House on Monday, threatened to suspend federal aid to his state if he did not comply with these political demands. Considered one of the great hopes of the Democratic Party, Gavin Newsom is one of the billionaire’s favorite targets, who through him attacks progressive ideas, of which California is a crucible.

The fires led to looting of properties evacuated by their residents. Dozens of people were arrested and nine of them charged for this type of theft. Former American tennis champion Pam Shriver, who fled the flames of Pacific Palisades, had 16 Grand Slam tournament trophies stolen, all won in doubles. They were in her car, stolen from the parking lot of the hotel where she had found refuge. “To the people who do this, (I say) guys, we need to stick together”she told local television KTLA. “Now is not the time to cause people even more stress and worry.”