Southern California is battling a devastating wildfire crisis, with five blazes burning for a third night. At least 10 fatalities and nearly 10,000 destroyed structures have been reported, marking a tragedy on a historic scale.
The Palisades and Eaton fires, raging through densely populated areas between Santa Monica and Malibu, and east near Pasadena, respectively, are among the most destructive in Los Angeles history. They have consumed over 53 square miles of land, leaving neighborhoods in ruins. The death toll is expected to rise, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, who described the devastation as resembling an "atomic bomb."
The fires are fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, exceptionally dry and gusty winds blowing from the desert into Southern California. These winds, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph in mountainous areas, are exacerbating the crisis. Strong winds are expected to continue, potentially sparking more fires.
The federal government has pledged full reimbursement for recovery efforts, including debris removal, shelter provision, and first responder salaries for the next 180 days. However, the immense scale of the disaster will likely strain local and national resources.
AccuWeather estimates the economic damage at $135 billion to $150 billion, highlighting the significant and far-reaching consequences of these wildfires. Insurance costs for homeowners are expected to rise.
While winds moderated somewhat on Thursday, the risk remains high. The National Weather Service has issued extreme weather warnings, and another Santa Ana wind event is possible early next week. Aerial support for firefighters remains crucial, but unauthorized drones pose a hazard, as seen in one incident with a Canadian Super Scooper aircraft.
Several fires remain uncontained. In addition to the two major fires, a rapidly growing blaze near Calabasas, the Kenneth Fire, now covers 960 acres.
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