Tragedy in Los Angeles: five dead and 1,000 structures razed by fires

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that five people have died in the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County. Similarly, it was detailed that many people were injured and that the fire remains uncontrolled.

Several fires in different areas of Los Angeles County caused tens of thousands of mandatory evacuations and highway closures. The first and most powerful, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, led to the declaration of a state of emergency due to the raging flames. This fire has become the most destructive in the history of the city of Los Angeles, with approximately 1,000 structures destroyed, according to Wildfire Alliance statistics.

The most devastating fire previously recorded in the region was the Sayre fire in November 2008. This fire destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, a suburb located north of the city of Los Angeles.

Origin of the fire

The fire had started at 10:30 a.m. By 3:30 p.m. local time, some 1,300 acres had already burned as firefighters try to repel the flames as they were being fanned by a voracious wind. By 1:25 a.m. the next day, the flames had grown to cover 2,921 acres. A number of homes can be seen being consumed by the fire in several videos posted on social media.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said the Democratic leader was near the fire being briefed by authorities ahead of Tuesday's news conference.

"On the ground in Pacific Palisades and getting briefed by @CAL_FIRE on the #PalisadesFire in Los Angeles," Newsom said on X. "Californians in the affected areas should stay alert and follow evacuation orders from local authorities."

Kamala Harris' housing development vacated

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris' team detailed that the housing development where her home is located was ordered to be evacuated.

"No one was in her home at the time. She and the Second Gentleman are praying for the safety of their fellow Californians, the heroic first responders, and Secret Service personnel," Harris' aide, Ernie Apreza, wrote on X.

Pentagon to deploy helicopters

Sabrina Singh, a spokeswoman for the Department of Defense, reported that the Pentagon will send 10 Navy helicopters to assist in fighting the fires. Although the order is still pending formalization, the helicopters are expected to be part of an active unit with Navy Sea Hawks, based in Southern California, and equipped for water transport.

Millions affected by power outages

More than 1.5 million residents in Southern California were without power Wednesday afternoon due to the devastating wildfires, according to tracking site PowerOutage.us.

AccuWeather has estimated the initial damage and economic losses caused by the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area at between $52 billion and $57 billion. This preliminary figure was derived from a report the company plans to release soon.

Damage could exceed $50 billion

AccuWeather has estimated the initial damage and economic losses caused by the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area to be between $52 billion and $57 billion. This preliminary figure was derived from a report the company plans to release soon.