Los Angeles: The death toll in the California wildfires rose to 25 on Monday. Around one lakh people are under mandatory evacuation orders, while another 87,000 have been given evacuation warnings as multiple fires rage across California’s Los Angeles. These blazes were reportedly fueled by drought conditions and strong winds.
The wildfires reportedly scorched over 40,500 acres of the area, reported Xinhua. Thousands of structures, including houses and businesses were destroyed in the fire. More powerful winds are expected to trigger new wildfires. This could set back the recent progress made in containing blazes.
Visuals Of Firefighting Operations:
– As per the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the Palisades blaze is the largest among all the wildfires in Los Angeles. As of Monday, it was 14 per cent contained, while the second largest Eaton fire was 33 per cent contained.
– The Palisades blaze has reportedly spread to the north and the east. Due to this, evacuation orders and warnings were issued to parts of Encino and Brentwood, reported News18.
– Over 80,000 customers in California are without power as Southern California Edison starts shutting off power ahead of the next wind event which will begin on Tuesday.
– Los Angeles is bracing for worsening scenario of wildfires as high winds forecast to create “extremely dangerous” weather conditions across coastal Southern California, reported IANS.
– High winds are forecast to pick up again Monday through Wednesday, with gusts up to 70 miles an hour creating “extremely dangerous fire weather conditions” across coastal Southern California, said the US National Weather Service (NWS).
– NWS issued a “particularly dangerous situation red flag warning” for parts of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties through Wednesday. Notably, the red flag warning is referred to fire danger.
– California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday said, “I think it will be in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope,” Newsom told reporters. “I’ve got search-and-rescue teams out. We’ve got cadaver dogs out. And there’s likely to be a lot more.”
– Los Angeles police authorities have made 34 arrests in wildfire-ravaged areas. As per Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, the arrests were related to burglary, looting, illegal drone operations, people entering restricted areas with guns and narcotics, and curfew violations.
Destruction Causes By Wildfires In California:
– The announcement of Oscar nominees for the 2025 Academy Awards was delayed again due to the Los Angeles wildfires.
– As fires continue to burn, the academy has extended the voting period and postponed again the nomination announcements to January 23. “Due to the still-active fires in the Los Angeles area, we feel it is necessary to extend our voting period and move the date of our nominations announcement to allow additional time for our members,” the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang said in a joint statement.
(With inputs from IANS)
