Los Angeles: Massive forest fire across Los Angeles in the USA continues to escalate. It was first started in the Pacific Palisades and spread rapidly to eight forests. This blaze has not only devastated natural habitats but has also caused extensive damage to residential areas. Estimated losses have reached $50 billion, and the death toll has increased to seven. The fire has caused alarm in Hollywood, endangering the homes of notable figures such as Kamala Harris, Paris Hilton, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Hanks, and Mandy Moore.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has reported that the Palisades forest is the most severely affected area, with 20,000 acres destroyed. While six percent of the fire in this area has been brought under control, other affected forests remain ablaze and have not been controlled yet. This wildfire is now considered the second most destructive in California’s history, spreading over 2,900 acres, with its range constantly expanding. According to the reports, about 60 companies have been deployed to extinguish the massive fire. owever, two lakh people have been evacuated successfully from the burning area.
Due to the lack of substantial rainfall for months, Southern California was particularly vulnerable when the flames started. Then the strong Santa Ana winds arrived, blowing over the hilltops and down into the canyons, bringing dry desert air from the east toward the coastal mountains and igniting wildfires, as reported by Business Standard. According to the reports, about 60 companies have been deployed to extinguish the massive fire. Meanwhile, fire brigades constantly struggle with shortage of water. The estimated cause of loss is exceeding 50 dollars.
Following the massive destruction caused by the wildfires in California, US President Joe Biden announced that the federal government will cover the costs of measures to protect lives and property in Southern California for six months. Taking on X (formerly Twitter), Biden wrote, “I’m announcing that the federal government will cover 100% of the cost of measures to protect lives and property in Southern California for six months. I’ve told the Governor and officials to spare no expense and do whatever they need to contain the fires and protect families.”
I’m announcing that the federal government will cover 100% of the cost of measures to protect lives and property in Southern California for six months.
I’ve told the Governor and officials to spare no expense and do whatever they need to contain the fires and protect families.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 10, 2025
Despite the continuous efforts to control the fire using helicopters and airplanes, the fire is growing rapidly rather than extinguishing. Meanwhile, as the rescue opertion continues, Schools, community centers and other safe places have been converted as emergency shelters.
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