Multiple wildfires fueled by strong winds and dry conditions continue to rage across Southern California, causing widespread damage and loss of life. The Palisades Fire, the largest of the blazes, is burning near Los Angeles, forcing evacuations and threatening communities. Other fires, including the Eaton Fire and the Hurst Fire, have also caused destruction. The fires have claimed at least 11 lives, and thousands of people have been displaced. Firefighters are battling the blazes, aided by federal and state resources. Donations are pouring in to support those affected by the fires.
Another 13 people are missing, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said today. It's unclear if the missing persons reports are related to the fires, he said.
Unified command, which includes Angeles National Forest, L.A. County Fire Department, L.A. city fire, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection made the decision on evacuations with input from the Los Angeles Police Department, it said in a statement.An Altadena couple who evacuated as the Eaton Fire approached their home, returned to their residence reduced to rubble.
The most crucial periods will be tonight into Sunday morning and then late Monday going into early Tuesday, National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfield told reporters.“We’re just in a continued period of critical fire weather through Wednesday, with red flag warnings issued now through Wednesday in portions of L.A. and Ventura counties,” Schoenfield said.
"We need to make sure that when the cameras are off and we are all in the crazy daily life where we forget about events like this, we cannot forget people," he said.Nine million people across Southern California are under fire alerts this weekend because of the combination of dry air, parched vegetation and gusty winds.Wind speeds will gradually increase this afternoon, forecasters said, ranging 15-30 mph in the city and over 65 mph possible at higher elevations.
The state has mobilized more than 12,000 personnel, including National Guard members, firefighters and highway patrol officers, to assist in the fire-extinguishing efforts.New shelters were opened in the L.A. neighborhoods of Van Nuys and Canoga Park for those displaced by the fires. When a friend lost his home to flames, Barger said she went to the donation site and “was shocked to find out that to give $500 they were going to charge me $95.”
"Saddened by the loss of life and the widespread destruction caused by the fires near Los Angeles, his holiness Pope Francis assures you and the communities affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness," the statement said., but experts say it’s easy to rule out one common cause of wildfires: lightning. The region was free of stormy weather this week.
"We want to make sure that we save lives, we save housing, we save businesses, and if there are differences that we have, we will continue to deal with those in private."after his mother said she was unable to save him from their home, which was gutted by fire. The ATF will take the lead in investigating the cause of the Palisades Fire, Los Angeles city officials said.
More than 20 helicopters and 460 engines are also part of the response. The fire has burned 22,661 acres and was 11% contained this morning. It's not clear at this time if all of the missing persons reports are related to the fires, Luna said, adding that 40 members of the Search and Rescue Task Force will be looking for the missing people and remains this morning.
"I was not prepared for what I saw," he said in the video posted to TikTok."It is, it's complete devastation and destruction.""Everything we owned, that was of importance to us, almost 20 years together as a couple and 10 years of parenting, was in that house," he said."And there's certain things that you can't replace, that will never be replaced.
And the Hurst Fire, which started as a brush fire but has so far covered 799 acres, is at 76% containment. Sohn, 72, looked outside and saw a small brush fire perilously close to her Pacific Palisades neighborhood in western Los Angeles. She watched firefighters douse the flames, waiting to see if she should flee. But there was no need: The wind was, and the fire was contained before dawn with no homes damaged and no one hurt.
Bass has come under scrutiny for cutting $17.8 million for the Los Angeles Fire Department's budget. She has denied that the reduction had an impact on firefighting efforts during this week’s crisis.The University of California Los Angeles has urged students to stay alert and be prepared for a possible evacuation as the nearby Palisades Fire continues to burn.
''We are working closely with health care providers to facilitate a smooth transition for all affected residents," a VA representative told NBC News over the phone on Saturday. Bass has come under pressure for $17.8 million in budget cuts for the Los Angeles Fire Department. She has denied that the reduction had an impact on firefighting efforts during this week’s crisis.
Strong gusty winds up to 45 mph are forecast for the Inland Empire, San Bernardino County mountains, Santa Ana mountains and inland Orange County, said the agency, warning that any wildfires that start could spread rapidly. The use of power air blowers, including leaf blowers, has been banned because the role the devices play in stirring up ash. The county's Department of Public Health advises keeping windows closed, staying indoors if you can see or smell smoke, wearing an N95 or P100 mask if outdoors for long periods, and avoiding the use of fireplaces, candles or vacuums.Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley is still in charge of the force, the city's mayor’s office said Saturday morning.
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