At least five people have been killed in a series of fast-moving wildfires sweeping through Southern California.
The fires, fueled by strong winds and embers, ignited on Tuesday night and have devastated communities across Los Angeles and nearby counties.
Authorities report that five major fires are currently burning. While the Woodley, Hust, and Lidia fires, which started on Wednesday, have been contained, the Palisades and Eaton fires remain active and are the largest in scale.
These fires have led to the evacuation of more than 137,000 residents and destroyed over 1,000 homes, vehicles, and businesses. Hospitals in the affected areas have been forced to close.
Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass, has announced measures to alleviate evacuation challenges.
“We are deploying LAPD officers to Hollywood to help manage evacuation traffic,” Bass said. “Efforts are underway to close roads, redirect traffic, and ensure access for fire response teams.”
The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power has urged residents to “only use boiled or bottled water for drinking and cooking until further notice.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden has cancelled a three-day trip to Italy to oversee the federal response to the crisis.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) attributes the intensity of the wildfires to increased heat, prolonged drought, and a drier atmosphere exacerbated by climate change.
COMMUNITY AND GLOBAL AID MOBILISED
The recent fires have affected not only local residents but also the homes of movie stars and celebrities.
Chef José Andrés, renowned for his humanitarian work, has set up a food truck near the Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway to provide free meals to those impacted. “Everyone needs support and love in times like these, whether rich or poor,” he shared.
Actor Jamie Lee Curtis announced Thursday that her family would donate $1 million to aid in relief efforts.
In a powerful display of solidarity, firefighters from six U.S. states are rushing to California to assist in the response. Northern California has sent 250 engine companies and 1,000 personnel south to support the efforts.
Additionally, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has sent water bombers and offered 250 firefighters to help battle the flames. “To our American neighbours: Canada’s here to help,” Trudeau stated.
As Southern California faces this climate-driven disaster, efforts continue to protect lives and property, while the world watches the growing impact of wildfires globally.