• The Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Kenneth Fire, Hurst Fire, and Lidia Fire have burned over 27,000 acres in the Los Angeles area.
• At least 11 people have died in the fires, with 13 individuals reported missing.
• Over 10,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed, and 153,000 people are under evacuation orders.

Containment Efforts

• Firefighters have established a perimeter around the wildfires, known as a “fire line,” to contain the blaze.
• Containment percentages indicate how much of a fire has been surrounded by a fire line. A fire is 100% contained once it has been fully enclosed by a fire line and firefighters are confident that the fire will not
  grow past that perimeter.

Destruction

• The Palisades Fire alone has destroyed an estimated 5,316 structures, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles County history.
• The destruction far eclipses that of previous fires, including the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which destroyed just over 1,000 structures.

Response and Criticism

• Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said that budget cuts had hampered their ability to respond to the fires, stating that the department is understaffed, under-resourced, and underfunded.
• LA County Sheriff Robert Luna announced that 20 people have been arrested for looting during the wildfires.

Personal Stories

• Zaire Calvin, a resident of Altadena, fled with his family as flames neared their home. His sister, Evelyn McClendon, was found dead in the ruins of her bedroom.
• Calvin’s family is among generations of African Americans who reside in Altadena, which has a higher percentage of Black residents than the state average due to historical factors.

Fire Statistics

• The Palisades Fire is 11% contained as of Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire.
• The fires have destroyed an estimated 10,000 structures, including homes and businesses.

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Filed under: Uncategorized - @ January 11, 2025 5:35 pm