California Wildfires Rage Near Hollywood, Claiming Lives
The devastating California wildfires have claimed at least 10 lives, destroyed over 10,000 structures, and threatened thousands of homes in the Los Angeles area, including those near Hollywood, with the situation remaining dire despite calmer conditions on Thursday.
The Palisades Fire, one of the largest, has burned over 31 square miles with only 6% containment, while the Eaton Fire has burned around 21 square miles with 0% containment. New evacuations were ordered due to the Kenneth Fire, which began burning in San Fernando Valley, just miles from a school that has become a shelter for people fleeing another fire. The total damages are estimated at over $10 billion, with many homes, schools, and businesses destroyed or damaged.
The federal government has pledged to cover cleanup costs for six months, and insurance agencies have cut fire coverage months before the wildfires, which may lead to fewer policies for threatened areas. Volunteer efforts are underway, with humanitarian organizations providing aid, food, and supplies to evacuation centers. Climate change is being cited as a contributing factor to the severity and risk of wildfires, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stating that climate change increases the risk and extent of wildfires in the western US.
As the situation continues to unfold, thousands of residents in Los Angeles County remain under evacuation orders, and the air quality in the area remains hazardous, putting people with lung or heart problems, children, and the elderly at risk. The causes of the original fires are not yet determined, but a combination of dry conditions and strong winds have created the perfect conditions for wildfires.
The California wildfires have burned hundreds of buildings, killed at least 10 people, and prompted evacuations for nearly 180,000 residents, with insured losses expected to be over $8 billion and total damages estimated at over $10 billion, as the region near Hollywood and beyond struggles to cope with the disaster.
