Palisades and Eaton Fires Rank as the Most Destructive in the City’s History, with 10 Dead and $150B in Damages
The wildfires ravaging Los Angeles have killed at least 10 people and destroyed nearly 10,000 structures. Five fires continued to burn into a third night as dry desert winds strengthened, fanning the flames.
The Palisades Fire, located between Santa Monica and Malibu, and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena in the east, are already ranked as the most destructive in Los Angeles history, consuming over 34,000 acres (13,750 hectares) or about 53 square miles, turning entire neighborhoods to ash.
The death toll from the fires rose to 10, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s update, and authorities expect the number to increase further.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic loss at between $135 billion and $150 billion, signaling a long recovery process and soaring homeowners’ insurance costs.
The Eaton Fire has damaged or destroyed between 4,000 and 5,000 structures, while the Palisades Fire has destroyed or damaged another 5,300 structures.
Despite mandatory evacuation orders, some residents returned to their properties to protect them, with one private security guard comparing the scene to his war-torn homeland of Afghanistan.
The Sunset Fire in Hollywood was fully contained, while efforts to control the Palisades and Eaton fires continue to face challenges.
Actor Jamie Lee Curtis announced that her family would donate $1 million to relief efforts.
Global Responses
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered assistance, and world leaders expressed solidarity with the American public in the aftermath of the devastating fires.
