Tensions are rising in Los Angeles, the largest city in the West, as multiple wildfires continue to spread and strong winds are forecast. Fire authorities are working tirelessly to extinguish the blazes before the winds arrive, deploying over 1,000 fire trucks and more than 10,000 personnel.
The National Weather Service issued a red alert for the fire situation until January 15 and predicted strong winds, with speeds reaching up to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) and gusts up to 70 miles per hour (113 km/h) in the mountains. Meteorologist Rich Thompson of the National Weather Service warned that January 14 would be the most dangerous day, as very strong gusts, dry air, and dry brush would create perilous fire conditions.
In response, over 14,000 personnel, including firefighters and support crews from California, nine other U.S. states, and Mexico, have been mobilized to combat the fires. A total of 1,354 fire trucks and 84 aircraft have been deployed.
As of the morning of January 12, four wildfires in LA County, including the Palisades Fire in the upscale Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, have burned through 160 square kilometres (60 square miles), an area larger than San Francisco. The largest wildfire, the Palisades Fire, is about 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire, near a major Korean community in Altadena, is 27% contained. The fire in Mandeville Canyon, near Pacific Palisades, was extinguished on January 11.
As the wildfires continue, the damage has escalated, with the death toll at 16 and the number of missing people also at 16. Over 12,000 buildings have been destroyed, including more than 7,000 structures in the Eaton Fire alone. While most evacuation orders have been lifted, the economic losses from the fires, which were estimated at between $135 billion and $150 billion, are expected to rise as the fires remain active. During the crisis, looting has surged, with 29 people arrested for breaking into empty houses or stores.