It extended to new areas…the scope of the Los Angeles fires expanded

The scope of the many fires that have been raging in Los Angeles for five days, resulting in the death of at least 11 people, expanded on Saturday to affect new areas that were spared from the flames.
These fires destroyed entire parts of the second largest American city, destroying more than 12,000 buildings and 15,000 hectares of land.
US President Joe Biden said during a meeting at the White House that the scene was “more like a war zone and bombing operations.”
Despite the large numbers of firefighters participating in containing the fires, evacuation orders were issued for the eastern part of Pacific Palisades.

Shortage of water supply

The winds, which decreased in speed on Friday, are expected to intensify starting Saturday, according to the Federal Natural Disaster Response Agency, weakening hopes of containing the disaster.
In light of the widespread looting in the affected or depopulated areas, the authorities imposed a strict curfew that applies between 18:00 and six in the morning, in the most affected areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
California Governor Gavin Newsom requested a “comprehensive independent review” of the city’s water distribution devices, and described the lack of water supply and the loss of pressure in fire hydrants in the first moments, which caused the fires to expand, as “very disturbing.”

Devastating California fires

The main fire, out of five fires still ongoing, has consumed more than eight thousand hectares on the coast of Malibu and the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where firefighting teams confirmed that they had controlled 8% of the fires on Saturday morning.
Among those who lost their homes is actor Mel Gibson. He told the Nation that he was very shocked to lose his home in Malibu.
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, who severed ties with the British royal family in 2020 and moved to California, attended to console the afflicted in Pasadena.

Deploying military reinforcements

Nicole Perry, whose home in Pacific Palisades burned down, told AFP that authorities had “completely abandoned” the residents.
Hundreds of thousands of homes were evacuated in Los Angeles as evacuation orders continued, some of which were issued by mistake, and military reinforcements were deployed, while dozens of people were arrested.
“There is a continuing shortage of crews, resources and funds,” Fire Marshal Christine Crowley told Fox News’ KTV station.
The authorities called on California residents to conserve water because three tanks supplying firefighting stations were empty.

Santa Ana winds

The cost of these fires may be the highest recorded so far, and AccuWeather estimated the damage and losses at between 135 and 150 billion dollars.
The winds that are blowing currently are known as “Santa Ana” and are common in the fall and winter seasons in California, but this week they reached an intensity not seen since 2011, according to meteorologists.
These winds constitute a nightmare for firefighters because California has had two very rainy years that led to the revival of vegetation that is now withering due to the dry winter that the region is witnessing, and scientists regularly point out that climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events.