Altadena, California – Devastation struck the Palisades and Eaton fires as officials reported a death toll of at least 10 people and extensive damage to over 9,000 structures in the area. The fires ravaged through communities, leaving behind a trail of destruction that included more than 5,300 structures in the Palisades fire and 4,000 to 5,000 structures in the Eaton fire in the Altadena region.
Using aerial infrared technology, officials estimated the extent of the damage, cautioning that the numbers provided were preliminary. The inferno, if confirmed, would place these fires among the most catastrophic events in Los Angeles history in terms of property damage. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley emphasized the severity of the Palisades fire, labeling it as one of the worst natural disasters to hit Los Angeles.
As efforts to contain the Eaton fire showed progress, with a significant halt in growth reported by L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, the situation took a turn when the fire expanded by over 3,000 acres, totaling 13,690 acres with 0% containment, heading towards the historic Mt. Wilson area.
Don Fregulia, a key figure with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts to protect Mt. Wilson, assuring that the site was secure. Meanwhile, the Palisades fire expanded from around 17,200 acres in the morning to almost 20,000 acres in the evening, with only 6% containment achieved at that time.
In the midst of the chaos, a new blaze named the Kenneth fire erupted in Woodland Hills, quickly escalating to 1,000 acres. The Los Angeles County medical examiner reported a death toll of at least 10 individuals connected to the fires, with the unfortunate confirmation of the first death related to the Palisades fire in Malibu. Authorities expressed the likelihood of the death toll rising as further assessments are conducted.
The fires prompted the implementation of a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in affected areas to deter looting, approved by Governor Gavin Newsom to deploy additional California National Guard support. In light of the situation, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass highlighted the unprecedented nature of the firestorm, emphasizing the collaborative efforts required to combat the disaster.
As the region remained under a red flag warning with critical fire weather anticipated, residents braced themselves for potential challenges ahead. UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain warned of significant monetary repercussions from the fires, indicating a looming threat of becoming one of the costliest wildfire disasters in American history.
