Firefighters in Los Angeles have been working tirelessly to contain several fires that have been raging across the region. Despite making progress overnight, they are now preparing for more challenges as strong winds are expected to pick up on Friday afternoon.
Currently, approximately 153,000 people remain under evacuation orders as officials continue to monitor the situation closely. The year has seen a busy start for fire crews, with Cal Fire reporting that they have already responded to at least 90 fires in the first 10 days of 2025.
The Palisades Fire, which has burned over 20,000 acres, is currently 8% contained and has destroyed more than 5,300 structures, making it the third-largest in state history. The Eaton Fire, on the other hand, has destroyed over 4,000 structures and burned more than 13,600 acres, with containment at 3%.
Assistance from various agencies, including resources from Canada, has been mobilized to combat the fires. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of 900 additional firefighters to aid in the firefighting efforts.
Satellite imagery has revealed that the majority of homes and businesses in Pacific Palisades have been destroyed by the Palisades Fire. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has confirmed that President Joe Biden and FEMA have pledged to reimburse disaster relief expenses.
Over 10,000 properties have been damaged, with hundreds more expected to be identified in the coming days. The California National Guard, along with National Guard personnel, is actively involved in the fire response.
Despite challenges, efforts are being made to rectify issues such as erroneous evacuation warnings and the repair of firefighting aircraft damaged during operations. The National Weather Service has warned of continued gusty winds in the fire zone, which are expected to peak on Sunday and again next week, further complicating firefighting efforts.
As the situation continues to evolve, firefighters and emergency responders remain dedicated to protecting lives and property in the face of these ongoing wildfires.