Los Angeles fire crisis: Rising death toll and staggering losses
Fires in Los Angeles have already claimed 16 victims. Medical services report a difficult situation due to strong winds, and losses are estimated at over $100 billion (140 billion Canadian dollars).
Fires in Los Angeles County, which have been ongoing since last Tuesday, have caused the death of 16 people. The situation is worsened by increasing winds, and losses may exceed $100 billion (CAD 140 billion).
In the Altadena area, in the zone affected by the "Eaton Fire," the bodies of 11 people were found, and another five people died in the "Palisades Fire" in Pacific Palisades.
Earlier reports mentioned 13 victims and 13 missing individuals. Search teams, supported by dogs, are combing through the debris.
Approximately 153,000 people were evacuated, and 166,000 received warnings about potential evacuation. County Sheriff Robert Luna reported the arrest of 22 people suspected of looting and breaking curfew.
Staggering scale of destruction
The fires destroyed over 12,000 buildings and covered an area of about 145 square kilometres. Despite the involvement of numerous firefighters and equipment, the blaze does not relent. Additional evacuation orders have been issued.
Support from neighbouring states and Canada has partially helped extinguish some fires, such as the Palisades Fire, but weather conditions continue to hinder control of the situation.
Authorities have imposed a curfew, and the death toll continues to rise. Efforts are focused on stopping further destruction and assisting those affected.
