Stronger winds are expected to cause new wildfires, potentially reversing recent progress in containing blazes that have already destroyed numerous homes and claimed the lives of at least 24 individuals. President Joe Biden expressed his condolences for the victims of the California wildfires, emphasizing the devastation caused by the ongoing fires. He has directed federal personnel and resources to assist in firefighting efforts and aid affected communities. The nonprofit organization Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has provided emergency grants to support residents and first responders in the Los Angeles area. Due to the wildfires, the announcement of Oscar nominations has been postponed. While the number of evacuees in Los Angeles County has decreased, officials warn of possible further evacuations as high winds are expected to return. Authorities advise residents to remain vigilant and prepared for potential evacuations even after orders are lifted. Los Angeles County fire officials express confidence in their readiness to combat the fires amid the forecasted strong winds. Firefighters are actively battling multiple fires, with additional resources strategically stationed to respond to any new fire outbreaks.
Residents must be prepared to evacuate if ordered as officials cannot guarantee containment of all new fires. The National Weather Service forecasts hurricane-force winds that may exacerbate wildfire spread, prompting Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to prepare for extreme conditions. City officials are aiding residents in recovery efforts by facilitating replacement of vital documents and offering disaster relief loans to businesses. Looting, price gouging, and scams have been reported, with nearly three dozen arrests made. The death toll is expected to rise as authorities search for victims in the fire-ravaged areas. Mutual aid from various fire departments and the National Guard has been crucial in battling the blazes. Despite challenges, fire officials remain optimistic, with repaired firefighting aircraft ready to assist pending FAA approval. Thousands of firefighters continue to combat the fires amid ongoing high fire risk due to forecasted weather conditions.
LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated that all fire departments and law enforcement agencies in the area are prepared for any potential fires. Fire engines have been strategically positioned throughout the city to swiftly respond to new fires, while firefighters are actively patrolling high-risk areas. LA fire officials have pre-positioned strike teams and task forces in case of emergency.
During a news conference on Monday, LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant, as the fire threat in all of Los Angeles County remains critical due to anticipated winds, low humidity, and dry conditions.
Additionally, Beyoncé has donated $2.5 million to a newly established LA Fire Relief Fund through her charitable foundation, BeyGOOD. The fund aims to assist families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who have lost their homes, as well as churches and community centers supporting those affected by the wildfires.
The wildfires have caused significant damage, with estimates suggesting they could be among the costliest natural disasters in the country’s history, surpassing $250 billion in damage according to AccuWeather. It may take some time for officials to provide an official estimate of the full extent of the destruction.
Furthermore, the California wildfires have not only impacted celebrity estates but have also devastated diverse communities, raising concerns about recovery and rebuilding efforts. The aftermath of these fires could exacerbate existing inequalities and gentrification pressures in the affected regions.
Around 50,000 customers could face power shutoffs on Monday morning, subject to change due to the return of strong Santa Ana winds in the next couple of days. Pedro Pizarro, the president and CEO of Edison International, informed “Good Morning America” that approximately 450,000 customers have been warned about potential power shutdowns to prevent utility lines from causing more wildfires. Pizarro mentioned that the utility has not yet determined if its equipment and lines were involved in the ignition of the devastating wildfires that have ravaged over 12,000 structures in the Los Angeles area.
Authorities have made arrests related to looting, with concerns growing as the devastation escalates. Among those arrested were individuals posing as firefighters entering houses, as reported by Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Michael Lorenz. With the presence of California National Guard troops to protect properties, Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards looting.
The wildfires have not only destroyed iconic landmarks and celebrity homes but have also impacted communities like Altadena, historically providing refuge for generations of Black families facing discriminatory housing practices elsewhere. Several places of worship, including a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic parish, and multiple Protestant churches, have been consumed by the fires.
A father and daughter duo in the Los Angeles area are assisting evacuees in assessing the status of their homes. Vanessa Prata and her father, Aluizio Prata, have taken it upon themselves to check on evacuated neighbors’ properties, finding that fewer than half are still standing. Their efforts have been well-received within the community, offering support and reassurance during these challenging times.
Investigators are exploring various possible sources of ignition for the deadly California wildfires that have claimed at least 24 lives and destroyed numerous homes and businesses in the Los Angeles region. Lightning has been ruled out as a cause, with officials focusing on fires intentionally set and those triggered by utility lines. John Lentini, an expert in fire analysis, highlighted the importance of thorough investigation to determine the origins of these destructive blazes.
Size and scope of the blaze don’t change the approach to finding out what caused it. Firefighters continue battling the flames. Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes nearly 1,400 fire engines, 84 aircraft, and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico. After a fierce battle Saturday, firefighters managed to fight back flames in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities near Pacific Palisades not far from the coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill.
Ripples of Los Angeles fires continue as Meghan delays Netflix series launch, composer’s works lost. Several projects and awards shows have been delayed, with the Producers Guild opting not to announce its nominations Sunday due to the ongoing effects of the fire. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, also announced she wouldn’t launch a Netflix lifestyles program until March. The publisher of composer Arnold Schoenberg’s works says original manuscripts and scores were lost in the Los Angeles wildfires. “We have lost our full inventory of sales and rental materials,” the company said in a statement. “We hope that in the near future we will be able to ‘rise from the ashes’ in a completely digital form. … There are some scores and performing materials for which we have digital scans.”
Meanwhile, The Screen Actors Guild has joined the Walt Disney Co., the Grammys, and other entertainment entities pledging millions in relief to help those affected by the fires.
Death toll from the wildfires rises to 24. After making some progress battling wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people in the Los Angeles area, firefighters prepared for a return of dangerous winds that could again stoke the flames. The relative calm Sunday allowed some people to return to previously evacuated areas. But even as containment increased in the worst of the fires, more bad news emerged from the ashes: The death toll surged late Sunday with an update from the Los Angeles County medical examiner. At least 16 people were missing, a number authorities said was also likely to rise.
