The numerous fires that have ravaged Los Angeles for four days have left at least eleven dead, according to a new report released on Friday. As the wind fanning the flames begins to weaken, the controversy over the effectiveness of the relief is gaining momentum.
Faced with the increasing number of lootings in the disaster or evacuated areas, a curfew was decreed by the authorities between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena sectors, the most ravaged.
Given the extent of the damage, California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday requested ‘a comprehensive independent review’ of the city’s water distribution services. The Democratic official described 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.
“We need answers to what happened,” he wrote in an open letter.
More than 10,000 buildings destroyed
At least eleven people died in these violent fires and entire sections of the second largest city in the United States of America were devastated: more than 10,000 buildings were destroyed and more than 14,000 hectares were lost. in smoke. “It reminded me of a war scene, with bombing,” said US President Joe Biden.
The largest fire, among five still active, has burned more than 8,000 hectares on the Malibu coast and the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where firefighters said they were beginning to control the flames. Among those who saw their homes destroyed was actor Mel Gibson. He told NewsNation he was devastated by the loss of his Malibu home.
The wind nevertheless weakened on Friday, favoring the action of the firefighters. However, new evacuations had to be ordered in the evening in the Palisades sector.
On Thursday afternoon, a new fire broke out north of the main home in Pacific Palisades, near the wealthy neighborhood of Hidden Hills, where starlet Kim Kardashian lives. It has been largely brought under control since then.
‘Still very dangerous situation’
The situation “is still very dangerous,” warned Deanne Criswell of the federal disaster response agency (FEMA). Across the Californian megacity, depending on the orders received, evacuations number in the hundreds of thousands.
Soldiers were also deployed and dozens of people were arrested. Before the decision to establish a curfew, residents acted as vigilantes and patrolled to protect what remained of their neighborhood.
Although it is too early to know the origin of the fires, criticism has emerged regarding the authorities’ preparation and response. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley told Fox News affiliate KTTV that they are “still understaffed, under-resourced and under-funded.”
Californians are being urged by authorities to save water, as some reservoirs supplying fire hydrants have been emptied by the fight against flames.
Up to 150 billion costs
Several evacuation alerts were also sent by mistake to residents’ phones Thursday and Friday in Los Angeles. Messages which led the authorities to apologize.
The Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FAA) announced the opening of an investigation after a drone struck and damaged a tanker plane.
These violent fires could be the costliest on record: AccuWeather estimates total damages and losses at between $135 billion and $150 billion.
US President-elect Donald Trump has spread false information on his Truth Social network, claiming that California is running out of water because of Democratic environmental policies that would divert rainwater to protect a ‘useless fish’.
‘Many demagogues’ seek to take advantage of disinformation surrounding the disaster, responded current head of state Joe Biden.
The hot, dry Santa Ana winds currently blowing are a classic of California autumns and winters. But this time they reached an intensity not seen since 2011, according to meteorologists.
A nightmare for firefighters: California is coming out of two very rainy years which gave rise to lush vegetation, now dried up by a lack of rain for eight months.
/ATS
