Fri Jan 10 01:10:00 UTC 2025: **Devastating Los Angeles Wildfires Claim Five Lives, Cause Widespread Destruction**
LOS ANGELES (AP) — At least five people have perished and thousands more have been displaced as massive wildfires tear through the Los Angeles area, leaving a trail of destruction from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena. The blazes, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds gusting over 70 mph, have consumed approximately 45 square miles – an area roughly the size of San Francisco – and caused an estimated $135 billion to $150 billion in damage according to AccuWeather. Government officials are yet to release their own damage assessment.
The Palisades Fire, the most destructive in Los Angeles history, has ravaged the coastal Pacific Palisades neighborhood, surpassing the damage of the 2008 Sayre Fire. Nearly 27 square miles have burned, destroying thousands of structures, including the homes of several celebrities like Billy Crystal. The Eaton Fire, north of Pasadena, has also caused significant damage, burning over 4,000 structures and impacting five school campuses. Residents of a senior center were among those urgently evacuated.
Further fires, including the Kenneth Fire in West Hills and the now contained Hurst and Sunset Fires, have added to the chaos, prompting widespread evacuations affecting nearly 180,000 people. The Hollywood Hills’ Sunset fire came dangerously close to the Hollywood Bowl. The intense smoke has created unhealthy air quality conditions across a vast swathe of Southern California, impacting millions.
President Biden has pledged federal aid to cover 100% of the cost for 180 days of hazardous materials removal, temporary shelters, first responder salaries, and life-saving measures. The impact has extended beyond the immediate devastation, forcing the postponement of events such as the Critics Choice Awards and the Academy Award nominations announcement, as well as numerous film premieres and the cancellation of television and film productions. The LA Rams NFL playoff game has been relocated to Arizona due to the ongoing emergency. Power outages affect more than 415,000 customers, and officials have warned of potential looting. A curfew is expected to be implemented in the hardest-hit areas. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue.
First Piper 