The relentless Los Angeles wildfires have claimed 10 lives and destroyed nearly 10,000 homes and structures. This was reported on Thursday evening. Although fierce winds fanned the flames earlier, they have now subsided. This provided firefighters with a brief reprieve. However, the fires continue to rage into a third night.
The Most Destructive Fires in Los Angeles History
The Palisades Fire is located between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city’s western edge. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire is near Pasadena in the east. These fires are now the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history. Together, they have scorched 34,000 acres (13,750 hectares), equivalent to 53 square miles. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ash.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the death toll increased from seven to 10 late Thursday. However, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna urged caution in confirming a final count. He stated that it is unsafe for human remains detection teams to conduct thorough searches yet. Given the extensive devastation, he indicated that the toll is likely to rise.
“It looks like an atomic bomb dropped in these areas,” Luna remarked during a press conference. “I don’t expect good news, and we’re not looking forward to those numbers.”
The Eaton Fire alone has damaged or destroyed an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 structures. Officials also confirmed that the Palisades Fire has obliterated an additional 5,300 buildings.
Private forecaster AccuWeather has estimated the combined damage and economic loss to range between $135 billion and $150 billion. This signals a challenging recovery process and potentially skyrocketing homeowners’ insurance costs.
On Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden addressed the ongoing devastation. He likened the situation in Los Angeles to a “war scene” due to the extensive destruction. “It reminded me of a war zone, where certain areas were targeted and bombarded,” Biden said. He also acknowledged “clear evidence of looting” amid the chaos. Furthermore, he condemned the spread of disinformation regarding the fires.
Support from the UAE
In a show of international solidarity, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) extended its condolences to the United States on Friday, January 10. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed heartfelt sympathy to the victims and their families. In a statement, the ministry mourned the loss of life and the extensive displacement caused by the wildfires.
The statement underscored the UAE’s support during this tragic time. It emphasized the shared grief and solidarity with those affected by the devastating blazes in California.
