Five significant wildfires are burning in Los Angeles County, California, USA, killing at least 10 people. About 10,000 buildings have been burned to the ground. CNN and BBC report on this.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna says that many of the affected areas are dangerous to approach, so the number of deaths is still unknown. The final figure, in his opinion, will “change dramatically.”
Firefighters continue to battle the blaze, spreading rapidly due to dry weather and strong winds. Meanwhile, police are fighting looters, and soldiers of the California National Guard are helping law enforcement maintain public order.
The fire service says fighting large-scale wildfires is “extremely difficult” due to a lack of personnel and resources.
“We’re not saying this to alarm people again, but I think everyone sees the scale of the apocalyptic destruction. I hope that people remember this: if a wildfire is near your home, run and get out early,” said Captain Scott Caitlan Collins.
US President Joe Biden has announced that the federal government will cover the full cost of measures to “protect life and property” in southern California for six months.
Many famous people live in Los Angeles County, and many of them have lost their homes. These include Mandy Moore, Anna Faris, Milo Ventimiglia, Paris Hilton, Jeff Bridges, Bozoma St. John, Mel Gibson, Billy Crystal, James Woods, and Diane Warren.
Due to climate change, the wildfire season in California is starting earlier and ending later. Rains are delayed, so fires continue in winter. Dry winds have caused a heat wave in Southern California. Since the beginning of May 2024, no more than 2.5 millimeters of precipitation have been recorded there.