The Eaton Fire destroys a structure (Image: AP)
The death toll from the has risen from two to five, as confirmed by local officials. The identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed. It’s reported that around a figure expected to increase. Currently, five fires are raging across the greater Los Angeles area, according to CALFire.
The two largest fires, the Palisades and Eaton Fires, have collectively destroyed over 25,000 acres. The devastating fires, which began on Tuesday, were fuelled by powerful Santa Ana winds, gusting up to more than 70 mph (112 kph) in some areas.
These winds made it too dangerous for aircraft to tackle the fires from the sky, further hindering efforts. However, aerial firefighting resumed on Wednesday morning.
Terrifying images show elderly residents of Los Angeles fleeing the ‘apocalyptic’ wildfire. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday that 1,400 fire personnel had been deployed to combat the fires, with Oregon reportedly sending an additional 240 firefighters and 60 engines to assist, reports
Cars destroyed by the Eaton Fire sit in the parking area of a burned shop (Image: Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Fire Department has called upon all off-duty firefighters in the city to help. AccuWeather estimates the preliminary damage and economic loss from the fires to be between $52 billion and $57 billion.
At least 70,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, a figure that continues to fluctuate as new evacuation orders are issued. .
By Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of people, many of whom were elderly, had gathered at the Pasadena evacuation center. The fire was moving towards densely populated and affluent areas, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, which are known for being home to many of California’s wealthy and famous residents.
Among those forced to evacuate were stars such as Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and James Woods. Approximately 1.5 million households in Southern California were without power, with nearly a million of them in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutageUS, a website that tracks power outages nationwide.
Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire as it burns structures in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles (Image: AP)
who was already in Los Angeles, met with Governor Newsom on Wednesday morning and received a briefing from local officials. The President also spoke with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over the phone while on Air Force One, returning to Washington D. C.
“It’s going to take time,” Biden cautioned, referring to the recovery from the California wildfires. Newsom expressed his gratitude to Biden, saying, “It’s impossible for me to express the level of appreciation.”
During a virtual press briefing, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby stated that it was essential for the President to demonstrate to the people of Southern California the government’s commitment to supporting both their firefighting and recovery efforts while he was in the area.
Kirby added that Biden’s presence in the region did impact the response to the fires.