The devastation in Los Angeles has left many residents in shock, with some watching their homes burn on live television. Since the fires first erupted, people have returned to their still-smoldering neighborhoods, trying to grasp the magnitude of what they’ve lost. Even as new fires threaten, the city of 13 million is facing the daunting task of rebuilding.
Thankfully, calmer winds allowed firefighters to gain some control over the largest blazes by Friday. But the relief was temporary, with gusty winds expected to return over the weekend, and the area hasn’t seen rain in over eight months. By Friday evening, new evacuations were ordered in areas near Interstate 405 after a flare-up on the eastern side of the Palisades Fire.
The crisis has sparked accusations of leadership failures and political blame. Governor Gavin Newsom ordered state officials to investigate why a 117 million-gallon reservoir was out of service and why some hydrants ran dry during the fires. “It’s deeply troubling,” he said. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley pointed out that city leaders had failed to properly fund firefighting efforts and criticized the lack of water supply. “When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there’s going to be water,” she said.
At least 11 people have died — five in the Palisades Fire and six in the Eaton Fire. Unfortunately, that number is expected to rise as cadaver dogs continue searching through the rubble and crews assess the damage. Authorities have set up a center for people to report missing loved ones, and tens of thousands remain under evacuation orders. The fires have ravaged about 56 square miles of land, an area larger than San Francisco.
The destruction has affected people from all walks of life, from waiters to movie stars. The financial cost of the disaster has not yet been officially estimated, but private firms predict it could reach tens of billions of dollars. In response, The Walt Disney Co. announced it would donate $15 million to aid firefighting efforts and help with the rebuilding process.
The flames have claimed everything from schools, churches, and libraries to local landmarks like the Will Rogers’ Western Ranch House and a historic mansion in Altadena, which had stood since 1887.
On a more positive note, firefighters made progress on the Eaton Fire, which had destroyed over 7,000 structures, and many evacuation orders in the area were lifted by Friday. The Palisades Fire, the most destructive in LA’s history, had also seen some containment.
In Altadena, California National Guard troops were deployed early Friday to protect properties in the evacuation zone, and curfews were enforced to prevent looting after several arrests. Mayor Karen Bass, facing her city’s biggest crisis in decades, emphasized that smaller fires had also been stopped. But with so much still at stake, the battle to control the fires and begin rebuilding is far from over.
