Catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires leave 10 dead, thousands displaced
Swathes of the Los Angeles area have been ravaged by violent fires that have killed at least five people © Robyn Beck / AFP
Massive wildfires in Los Angeles have devastated entire neighborhoods, leaving at least 10 dead and displacing over 180,000 residents, officials confirmed late Thursday.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner announced the growing death toll as vast swaths of the city lay in ruins.
Firefighting operations intensified overnight, aided by water-dropping helicopters during a temporary lull in winds. However, new fires continued to erupt, with the Kenneth Fire near Calabasas and Hidden Hills scorching 1,000 acres within hours, forcing additional evacuations.
The largest blaze in the upscale Pacific Palisades area has consumed nearly 20,000 acres, with firefighters reporting just six percent containment. Another fire in Altadena has burned 13,700 acres.
Governor Gavin Newsom deployed thousands of state personnel, including National Guard troops, to combat the fires and maintain order. “Looting will not be tolerated,” he warned, as reports of theft from evacuated areas emerged. Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed curfew plans and ongoing patrols to deter intrusions.
Residents, overwhelmed by the scale of destruction, voiced frustration. Some, like Nicholas Norman, took security into their own hands, guarding their properties against looters.
President Joe Biden pledged federal aid for what he described as “the most… devastating fire in California’s history.”
The fires have caused widespread disruption, with schools closed, power outages affecting hundreds of thousands, and major events canceled or relocated.
Meteorologists predict “critical” windy and dry conditions may persist, fueling further fire growth. Experts attribute the intensity of these blazes to climate change, which has exacerbated the region’s already volatile weather patterns.
