California wildfires claim five lives, destroy over 1,100 buildings
Fires in Southern California have already claimed the lives of five people and destroyed over 1,100 buildings, reports "The Los Angeles Times." The situation has brought the local community to a standstill, resulting in school closures and suspending flights and public events.
Due to the fires in Los Angeles County, at least five people have died, and over 1,100 buildings have been destroyed. All the fatalities occurred in Altadena and Pasadena, where the fire provided residents with little time to evacuate, reports "The Los Angeles Times."
Firefighters are battling severe conditions, including strong winds and dry vegetation. In the Eaton fire zone, 33,000 residents were evacuated, and 37,000 people were relocated to Pacific Palisades. Additionally, firefighters in Pacific Palisades faced challenges due to a lack of water in hydrants, complicating their efforts to combat the blaze.
Drone photographs reveal the devastation in Pacific Palisades, home to about 23,000 people. Approximately 75% of the area is estimated to be destroyed.
Water companies in Altadena have advised residents not to drink tap water due to potential contamination caused by the fire. An alert indicated that some structures were destroyed, and water pressure dropped, which might have allowed harmful substances to enter the system.
Hundreds of schools in the Los Angeles area have been closed due to extreme fire danger and poor air quality. Palisades Charter High School, famous for its appearance in the film Grease, sustained significant damage and destroyed many sports facilities.
Elon Musk shared a shocking video from Los Angeles County, which showed one of the regions severely affected by the fire.
Smoke from the Los Angeles fires is making the air difficult to breathe. In two days, the fire has consumed over 10,000 hectares, releasing significant amounts of smoke and soot.
