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. Early Saturday morning, California Fire Battalion Chief said on CNN “cautiously optimistic” on the evolution of the wind in the coming days. He expects efforts to bring the biggest fire under control “continue in the right direction”. Follow our live stream.
First night under curfew. Faced with the looting which is increasing in the disaster or evacuated areas, a strict curfew, in force between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., was decreed Friday by the authorities in the sectors of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, 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.
Basketball games postponed. The meetings scheduled for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday in the NBA were postponed because of the fires, the League announced. The Lakers were to host the San Antonio Spurs, Frenchman Victor Wembanyama’s team, in California, and the Clippers were to host the Charlotte Hornets.
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