11 Dead as LA Wildfires Rage On, Damages Estimated at $150 Billion

The recent wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County have now claimed 11 lives, with the damage continuing to unfold.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the fires, which began earlier this week, have devastated residential areas across Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Topanga.
Among the fatalities, five were reported from the Palisades Fire, while six deaths are attributed to the Eaton Fire. The identities of the victims remain largely undisclosed, although some have been revealed through other sources.
The fires have caused unprecedented destruction, with at least 10,000 buildings reduced to ash. This includes upscale properties in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, home to multimillionaires and celebrities.
Around 180,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes as fire crews continue to battle the blazes.
The situation remains dire as Los Angeles fire crews struggle to contain the fires, with water shortages forcing them to improvise. California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an investigation into how water scarcity has impaired firefighting operations.
Governor Newsom has invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit the affected areas, urging him not to politicize the disaster. He emphasized the need for cooperation in the face of such widespread devastation, stressing the importance of putting partisan differences aside for recovery efforts.
California State Senator Sasha Renee Perez has urged residents of Altadena and Pacific Palisades to stay away from their homes due to ongoing fire risks and compromised water quality.
With looting becoming a serious concern in the aftermath of the fires, a curfew has been imposed in the Pacific Palisades and Eaton areas. The National Guard has been deployed to patrol these zones, ensuring safety and security for residents and first responders.
The fires are expected to be the most expensive in California’s history, with damage estimates ranging from $135 billion to $150 billion.