A new interactive satellite map is shedding light on the destruction caused by the massive fires ravaging Los Angeles. For many displaced residents still forbidden from returning, the map offers a rare look at the devastation. The destruction is staggering.
Rising death toll and hellish weather ahead
As the official death toll rises to 24, residents brace for another 72 hours of catastrophic weather. Fierce winds and extreme heat are expected to spread the fires further, worsening the situation. CalFire has issued severe warnings about life-threatening conditions across Southern California, from Ventura to San Diego.
“Dangerously low humidity and strong winds will fuel the fires,” CalFire said. “This will lead to rapid fire spread.”
The fires have already consumed 40,000 acres, destroying everything in their path. A-list celebrity homes, luxury properties, and popular restaurant hotspots are all gone. In total, over 12,300 structures have been reduced to ash.
Color-coded map shows the extent of damage
The map uses a color code to show the severity of damage: black indicates a house was spared; green means minor damage; orange shows significant damage; and red means total destruction. For many, seeing their house marked in red, while others nearby are unharmed, is devastating.
The map is regularly updated as officials continue to assess the damage. However, if no color appears on a property, it means it has not yet been inspected.
Dangerous conditions prevent return
Unfortunately, it’s still not safe for residents to return. Dangerous debris, including asbestos-filled ash, litters the area. Authorities have warned that the ash could contain harmful materials like lead, arsenic, and asbestos, making it hazardous to come back too soon.
As the situation intensifies, many are left to watch from a distance, hoping for the best but fearing the worst. With another wave of extreme weather expected, the people of LA brace for what could be an even more devastating week ahead.
