The relentless wildfires in Los Angeles County have reached alarming levels, with the average temperature in 2024 soaring 1.6°C above preindustrial levels, as reported by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). As a result, approximately 972 structures have been destroyed, and an additional 84 have sustained damage. The fires, fueled by hurricane-force winds, have ravaged an area of about 45 square miles (117 sq km) over the past few days. Law enforcement officials are in the process of enforcing a curfew in the affected burn zones to combat looting, as five major wildfires continue to rage in the county.
The chaos has claimed seven lives in California, with more than 10,000 structures obliterated and at least 180,000 residents ordered to evacuate. The city of Los Angeles finds itself encircled by fast-moving flames, prompting a massive firefighting effort. Approximately 400 firefighters remain on the scene overnight, working tirelessly to protect structures and extinguish hot spots. The Ventura County fire department announced on social media that forward progress of the Kenneth fire has been halted.
Over 8,000 personnel, including 600 members of the California National Guard, have been deployed to battle the wildfires in Los Angeles, according to California Governor Gavin Newsom. The federal government, under President Joe Biden’s directive, will cover all firefighting costs for the next 180 days. President Biden canceled an international trip to Italy, and Vice President Kamala Harris called off her visits to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany to focus on the crisis.
Among the fires plaguing the region, the Palisades fire had shown little containment since it erupted on Tuesday. However, by Thursday evening at 6 PM, it was 6% contained. The US Forest Service has provided an update on the Hurst fire, indicating that it has burned 771 acres and is currently 37% contained. Tragically, five civilian deaths have been confirmed as a result of these incidents.
Critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist until at least Friday evening. The combination of high temperatures and strong winds continues to challenge firefighting efforts. Despite this adversity, firefighters remain committed to their mission.