Firefighters in Los Angeles are waging a relentless battle to prevent the Palisades fire, the largest of the deadly wildfires, from spreading deeper into Brentwood, one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods.
Aerial crews have intensified their efforts, dousing the fire with water and retardant as it continues to spread, now menacing homes of celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger and NBA star LeBron James.
The Palisades fire has expanded by 1,000 acres in the past day, scorching nearly 23,000 acres in total and forcing evacuation orders across Brentwood and Mandeville Canyon. It is currently only 11% contained. Meanwhile, the Getty Center, home to over 125,000 priceless artworks, remains in the evacuation zone but has so far avoided damage.
“LA County had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, as the death toll reached 16. Eleven of the fatalities are attributed to the Eaton fire, which has razed over 14,000 acres, while five are linked to the Palisades fire. The two largest fires combined have destroyed an area more than twice the size of Manhattan.
Firefighters face mounting criticism after hydrants in key areas ran dry during critical moments. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley expressed frustration, stating, “When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there’s going to be water.”
Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into why a major reservoir was out of service during the fires. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, however, claims hydrants in affected areas were operational before the wildfires erupted.
Adding to the strain, Chief Crowley blamed city leadership for budget cuts and the elimination of mechanic positions, which have left over 100 firefighting vehicles out of service.
The wildfires have sparked political tensions. Mayor Karen Bass has faced backlash for being in Ghana during the early days of the crisis. At a news conference, Bass downplayed disputes with Chief Crowley, saying, “The fire chief and I are focused on fighting these fires and saving lives, and any differences that we might have will be worked out in private.”
However, a Change.org petition calling for Bass’s resignation has garnered more than 70,000 signatures.
Over 153,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders, with an additional 166,000 warned to prepare for possible evacuations. Fears of looting have prompted a sunset-to-sunrise curfew in evacuated areas. More than two dozen arrests have been made for burglary, looting, and curfew violations.
Governor Newsom announced the deployment of 1,680 National Guard troops to bolster security and assist in firefighting efforts.
With gusty Santa Ana winds expected to intensify over the weekend, firefighters face an uphill battle to contain the fires. The National Weather Service has warned that the winds, which initially fueled the blazes, could exacerbate the situation.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed cadaver dogs are assisting 40 search-and-rescue teams in scouring neighborhoods reduced to ash. The death toll is expected to rise as house-to-house searches progress.
California has received aid from seven neighboring states, the federal government, Canada, and Mexico, but the fight against the infernos is far from over. For the residents of Los Angeles, the nightmare continues as the city struggles to confront one of its most devastating wildfire crises in recent history.
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