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Wildfires are ripping across parts of Los Angeles, leading to at least 11 deaths, burning down hundreds of buildings, and prompting evacuation orders for tens of thousands across the county. Despite the efforts of thousands of firefighters, the biggest blazes remain mostly uncontained.
Weather conditions and the underlying impact of climate change are expected to continue fanning the flames for days to come, and there is intense scrutiny of officials’ preparedness for the disaster. Authorities say they expect the death toll will increase.
In Los Angeles County, some 153,000 people are under evacuation orders as of Friday. Many of them fled their homes with just the belongings they could carry. Another 166,000 residents are under evacuation warning, meaning they may need to leave their homes soon.
More than 10,000 buildings have been razed by the fires, which are the most destructive in the history of LA. A man was arrested on Thursday afternoon after residents suspected that he was attempting to start a new fire.
National Guard troops have been deployed in some parts of the city to prevent looting in evacuated areas, with more set to be deployed, and there have been 20 arrests, according to police. Celebrities who have lost their homes include Mel Gibson, Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, who attended the Golden Globes just days ago, actor James Woods and Paris Hilton.
There are at least five fires raging in the wider area, according to California fire officials. The fire that has spread the most quickly and widely is the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood. It’s the biggest blaze in the area, burning an area of more than 21,000 acres, and has forced the evacuation of thousands.
Blowing across the deserts further inland, they create conditions where humidity drops, which dries out vegetation. If a fire does start, the winds can fan smouldering embers into an inferno in minutes. The strongest wind gusts have passed through the region, but forecasters have warned another “traditional Santa Ana wind event” will move in on Thursday night, according to CBS News.
Experts say climate change is altering the background conditions and increasing the likelihood of such fires. Much of the western United States, including California, experienced a decades-long drought that ended just two years ago, making the region vulnerable. “Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says.
Fire season in southern California is generally thought to stretch from May to October, but Gov. Newsom has pointed out that blazes have become a perennial issue. “There’s no fire season. It’s fire year.”
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