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LOS ANGELES — An aggressive new wildfire prompted evacuations on Thursday in areas surrounding Los Angeles, while firefighters, supported by mellowing winds, began to make progress against the ongoing catastrophic blazes. The full extent of the destruction caused by these wildfires is beginning to emerge.
The rapidly spreading Kenneth Fire ignited in the San Fernando Valley near the West Hills neighborhood in the late afternoon, close to Ventura County. Evacuation orders extended into both Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
This announcement arrived on the heels of news from Los Angeles County that the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, which started Tuesday night, has destroyed more than 4,000 structures, encompassing homes, apartment complexes, businesses, and vehicles. In another area, the largest fire affecting Los Angeles has obliterated over 5,300 structures in Pacific Palisades.
All major blazes that erupted this week around Los Angeles are situated in a roughly 25-mile stretch north of downtown.
The Kenneth Fire broke out less than 2 miles from the El Camino Real Charter High School, where the local community sought refuge. Despite being approximately 10 miles apart, the proximity of the fires creates challenges for responders.
Vast sections of Pacific Palisades have been reduced to charred remains, leaving only the silhouettes of homes and chimneys standing. In Malibu, once-pristine oceanfront properties have succumbed, leaving behind charred palm trees amidst a landscape of debris.
The loss includes at least five churches, a synagogue, seven educational institutions, two libraries, numerous stores, bars, restaurants, banks, and grocery stores. Iconic local landmarks, such as Will Rogers’ Western Ranch House and the Topanga Ranch Motel, established in the 1920s, were also lost to the flames. Still, authorities have yet to provide specific estimates regarding the total damage or confirm the number of destroyed structures.
AccuWeather has revised its reported economic impact of the disaster, estimating losses between $135 billion and $150 billion.
City officials expressed optimism on Thursday, noting that firefighters had made headway in controlling the expansion of the two largest infernos, which had previously spread rapidly from Pacific Palisades towards inland communities like Altadena.
Firefighting efforts successfully quelled a blaze in Hollywood Hills, allowing the area’s evacuation orders to be lifted. This fire, which ignited late Wednesday near the entertainment district, narrowly missed the iconic Hollywood Bowl.
“While significant threats remain, I am hopeful that we are beginning to turn the tide,” remarked Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Air drops of water aided firefighters in gaining the upper hand on the blazes in Hollywood Hills and Studio City, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Much of the devastation occurred earlier in the week when firefighting aircraft were grounded due to high winds.
The National Weather Service cautioned that wind gusts could increase once again Thursday night into Friday morning, with more strong gusts expected early next week, raising fears that the situation could worsen.
However, the daytime forecast on Thursday granted firefighters an opportunity to combat the blazes effectively. Teams poured in from neighboring states and Canada, assisting efforts that have claimed at least five lives and forced thousands to evacuate.
Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Erik Scott credited favorable weather conditions in part for the successful containment of the Hollywood Hills fire, stating, “We attacked it quickly and Mother Nature was a bit kinder to us.”
Currently, investigations are underway to determine the origins of these fires, officials reported.
Earlier in the week, hurricane-force winds reaching 80 mph propelled embers that ignited the hilly terrain of Southern California. As the extent of damage is still being assessed, Barbara Bruderlin, leader of the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, described the impact as a profound “total devastation and loss.”
“There are areas where everything is gone; it’s just dirt, not even a stick of wood left,” Bruderlin lamented.
Tragically, the five reported fatalities have stemmed from these two fires. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley stated that two of the deceased were found in Pacific Palisades, while cadaver dogs and search crews continue to sift through rubble, making it likely that the death toll may rise, as indicated by Sheriff Robert Luna.
Families are mourning the loss of loved ones. Anthony Mitchell, a 67-year-old amputee, and his son, Justin, a cerebral palsy patient, tragically did not survive while waiting for evacuation assistance, as recounted by Mitchell’s daughter.
Another heart-wrenching account emerged when Shari Shaw reported attempting to persuade her 66-year-old brother to leave. Unfortunately, rescuers found his body while he was still with a garden hose in hand, indicating his determination to protect his home.
On Thursday, recovery teams discovered a body among the remnants of a beachfront residence in Malibu, with only a charred washer and dryer remaining as evidence of what once was.
Despite effective firefighting efforts, officials noted that both primary fires remain at 0% containment.
Currently, evacuation orders affect at least 180,000 residents, with the wildfires having consumed approximately 45 square miles, nearly the area of San Francisco. Already, the Palisades Fire is reported as the most destructive in LA’s history.
Authorities have made at least 20 arrests for looting in affected communities. The city of Santa Monica mandated a curfew beginning on Wednesday night due to rising crime concerns. Additionally, National Guard troops will be deployed to safeguard properties in the fire-impacted areas, with a curfew expected from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Thursday.
Several prominent figures also suffered losses, with celebrities such as Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore, and Paris Hilton losing their residences to the flames.
In response to the crisis, actress Jamie Lee Curtis has pledged $1 million to launch a support fund for those affected, highlighting the widespread impact across socioeconomic strata.
California’s wildfire season has progressively lengthened due to climate change, driven by rising temperatures and scarce rainfall. Dry winds, including the infamous Santa Ana, have exacerbated conditions in Southern California, which has not experienced significant rainfall since early May.
As survivors sift through the debris of their homes, the emotional toll is profound. Robert Lara, in Altadena, expressed sorrow while searching for a family heirloom among the ruins. “All our memories, all our sentimental attachments, things that were gifted from generation to generation are now gone,” he reflected, visibly heartbroken.
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