The massive wildfires are burning across Los Angeles County | X (@GeologyyScience)
Los Angeles County and southern California state are still battling with massive wildfires that haven’t been fully brought under control. At least 11 people have reportedly died but authorities say that the number is expected to rise as more and more areas become safe for investigators to search for victims. The firefighting machinery of the whole state is on alert and massive resources are being deployed to contain the flames which haven’t abated irrespectively.
Los Angeles Fire: What’s The Latest Situation?
Based on location, the wildfires have been clubbed in six groups. These are: Palisades fire, Hurst fire, Kenneth fire, Eaton fire, Lidia fire and Archer fire
As per reports in US media Palisades fire is 8 per cent contained, Kenneth fire is 50 per cent contained, Hurst fire is 70 per cent contained and ‘significant containment’ is expected of Eaton fire by Saturday (January 11) afternoon (Indian time).
The Lidia fire is almost fully contained (98 per cent) while Archer fire is still blazing at its full capacity (o% containment).
Although California’s firefighting agency is sparing no effort to battle the flames. There have been numerous reports of water hydrants going dry or releasing water under low pressure. This has hindered firefighting efforts at number of places.
Kristin Crowley, the chief of fire department, even criticised city administration for low or no water supply.
Don’t Fly Drones, says fire department
Cal Fire, the state’s fire agency, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to urge people to not fly drone near the wildfires. It said that firefighting efforts at Palisades had to be stopper as a water-carrying aircraft struck a drone.
Warning that flying drones near wildfires was ‘illegal’, Cal Fire said that doing so ‘puts lives, homes, and entire communities at risk.’
Outgoing US President Joe Biden has been posting updates on the social media about the California wildfires. On Saturday morning (IST) he said that the hurricane-strength winds have died down but said that they may continue to be a threat until early next week.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said on X that more than 12,000 personnel were deployed to fight the fire, more than a thousand fire engines were battling flames alonside nearly 150 water tenders. More than 120 dozers were pressed into service and more than 60 aircrafts were assisting the firefighting effort.
