Los Angeles wildfires: Mounting toll amid fierce winds
In Los Angeles County, the struggle against the fires that have been consuming the eastern and western outskirts of the city since Tuesday carries on. The disaster has killed 16 people and destroyed several thousand buildings. Unfortunately, meteorologists do not have good news and warn of the return of strong winds.
Firefighters in Los Angeles County, California are battling fires that have been ravaging the city’s eastern and western outskirts since Tuesday. According to CBS, the disaster has claimed the lives of at least 16 people, and unfortunately, the tragic toll may still rise. Weather forecasts indicate the return of strong winds, which will further accelerate the spread of the fire.
The greatest threat to firefighters is the Santa Ana winds, which can reach speeds of over 30 km/h. As a result, a red alert has been issued for the eastern part of Los Angeles County.
"Our concern is winds picking up tonight and then on Monday through Wednesday," said Rose Schoenfield from the American meteorological institute, as quoted by the "Los Angeles Times" portal.
"The general duration of this is not looking good," Schoenfield admitted.
Fires in LA. Firefighters are doing what they can
The most fatalities, as many as 11, were reported in Eaton, east of Los Angeles. The remaining five deaths occurred in Pacific Palisades on the western side of the city. Both American and international fire brigades, including those from Canada and Mexico, are participating in fighting the fires. The fire was contained in Mandeville Canyon, but the fight continues in the Brentwood area.
According to information from the fire department cited by American media, on Saturday they managed to contain just over 10 percent of the fire in Pacific Palisades and around 15 percent of the fire in Eaton.
Despite intensive efforts, the wildfires in California show no signs of abating. Smoke covers the sky over Los Angeles, and material losses are estimated at over 78 billion pounds. Rescue teams are continuously working to find the missing and evacuate residents from threatened areas, demonstrating the scale of destruction and the determination of the services.
Criticism of authorities and issues with hydrants
The financial situation of the city is dire, and criticism directed at the city authorities is mounting. Residents criticise Los Angeles authorities for their inadequate response to the fires. Fire chief Kristin Crowley has revealed that the firefighting budget has been cut by millions of dollars, which affects the effectiveness of operations.
There are also problems with city hydrants, which do not supply a sufficient amount of water. Governor Gavin Newsom has announced an investigation into this matter.
A total of over 12,000 buildings have been destroyed, and many people have been forced to leave their homes. The assistance of authorities and numerous fire units from Canada and Mexico has proven invaluable. The challenge remains to control the further development of the situation amidst growing criticism of crisis management.
