The Kenneth Fire erupted on Thursday afternoon in the San Fernando Valley, just a couple of miles from a school serving as a shelter for families displaced by another wildfire. This new fire spread into Ventura County, though firefighters mounted a strong and swift response, preventing it from extending further. Approximately 400 firefighters stayed on site overnight to monitor the situation and prevent any flare-ups.
Just hours before the Kenneth Fire broke out, authorities had felt a sense of optimism as firefighters, supported by calmer winds and outside reinforcements, reported progress in combating two significant wildfires that had been wreaking havoc in the region.
Since its inception Tuesday night, the Eaton Fire near Pasadena has destroyed more than 5,000 structures, which include homes, businesses, and vehicles. Fire teams managed to achieve the first notable containment on Thursday. Meanwhile, the larger fire in Pacific Palisades has wreaked havoc by destroying over 5,300 structures without any containment in sight.
This week has seen several major fires erupt within approximately a 25-mile radius north of downtown Los Angeles, spreading widespread fear and sorrow in the city. The causes for the largest fires are still under investigation. The recent weather patterns have not been favorable; a meteorology professor pointed out that 2024 is projected to be the hottest year on record, linking this trend to severe weather events like hurricanes and wildfires.
The scale of the destruction is astounding, even for a state that has dealt with significant wildfires in the past. A large portion of Pacific Palisades has been devastated, with entire blocks reduced to ash. Similarly, in Malibu, remnants of blackened palm trees are all that stand where homes along the coast used to be.
A significant number of communal establishments such as at least five churches, a synagogue, various schools, libraries, bars, and shops have all fallen victim to the flames. Iconic local landmarks including Will Rogers’ Western Ranch House and the Topanga Ranch Motel, which date back to the 1920s, were also lost.
While officials have not yet disclosed the total financial damage estimates, AccuWeather has assessed the economic loss could range between $135 and $150 billion.
Firefighters reported progress on Thursday in slowing the fire’s advance, though complete containment remains elusive. Crews also tackled another fire in the Hollywood Hills with the help of aerial water drops, which allowed some evacuation orders to be lifted. This particular fire approached the Hollywood Bowl, a well-known concert venue.
The initial week of devastation began with winds so strong they carried embers onto the hillsides, sparking new fires. Barbara Bruderlin, president of the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, described the damage as “total devastation.” She noted that in some areas, not even a stick remains — just bare earth.
Among the ten confirmed fatalities, two were victims of the Palisades Fire, while five deaths were associated with the Eaton Fire, as reported by county officials. Search and rescue teams are utilizing cadaver dogs to inspect the rubble for additional victims. Among the deceased were a father and son who were unable to evacuate in time, despite waiting for an ambulance.
A heart-wrenching narrative involved one family where a brother insisted on staying to fight the fire and was later found deceased with a garden hose.
Recovery efforts have already uncovered bodies in the remains of a beachfront home in Malibu, where few items remained discernible. As of now, evacuation orders affect approximately 180,000 individuals, with the fires consuming around 45 square miles of land—an area comparable to that of San Francisco. The Palisades Fire has become the most devastating in the history of Los Angeles.
All schools under the Los Angeles Unified School District have been compelled to close again due to smoke and ash impacting visibility and air quality. Additionally, over 20 arrests for looting have occurred, leading to a curfew being instituted in Santa Monica to combat crime. National Guard troops are now stationed in fire-affected areas to help safeguard properties.
The impact of the fires has affected a variety of residents, including high-profile individuals such as Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore, and Paris Hilton, all of whom have lost their homes. In response to the crisis, actress Jamie Lee Curtis has promised to contribute $1 million to a relief fund supporting disaster victims from all socio-economic backgrounds.
Experts indicate that California’s wildfire season is extending due to rising temperatures and less rainfall, attributed to climate change. Since early May, Southern California has not received significant rainfall, leaving dry winds to exacerbate the heat.
The loss is deeply personal for many; Robert Lara was seen searching through the ashes of his home, hoping to salvage a safe containing family heirlooms. “All our memories, all our sentimental attachments are now gone,” he lamented.
