The fires wreaking havoc in Southern California have left a trail of destruction, with over 12,000 structures reduced to ashes. As of Tuesday morning, more than 75,000 households were plunged into darkness due to widespread power outages. Southern California Edison had previously cautioned nearly half a million customers that temporary power shutdowns might be necessary. Tragically, the death toll has reached at least 25, with the numbers expected to rise. Millions in the region are on high alert as meteorologists forecast a final round of dangerous fire weather for Wednesday.
The fires in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades have already claimed numerous lives, and officials anticipate an increase in the official death toll. Evacuation orders remain in effect for nearly 90,000 residents in the county, although this number is half of what it was last week. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, along with other regional officials, expressed confidence in their preparedness for the impending fire threat.
To bolster firefighting efforts, additional personnel from across the United States, as well as from Canada and Mexico, have been deployed. The financial toll from these fires is staggering, with damages estimated at approximately $250 billion. This figure could potentially make this the costliest fire event in American history. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order aimed at accelerating recovery efforts for families and students displaced by these devastating fires.
The Los Angeles Times highlighted that this marks the fourth occurrence in recent months where Los Angeles has faced a "particularly dangerous weather situation." Each of the previous instances resulted in major wildfires. Currently, at least two dozen individuals have been reported missing. Among these are 18 people associated with the Eaton fire in northeast Los Angeles and six around the Pacific Palisades.
Warnings have been issued to 84,800 residents who might need to evacuate due to heightened fire risks. Meanwhile, 88,000 individuals continue to comply with existing evacuation orders. The situation remains critical, with Southern Californians bracing for yet another challenging day as they contend with the relentless threat of wildfires.