The wildfires in California appear to be worsening with no end in sight as residents face uncertainty about the hazardous conditions on the ground.
The fires have killed at least five people so far, according to CNN. However, the authorities are not yet certain about the actual number of deaths caused by the disaster.
Nearly 200,000 Californians have been forced to evacuate and flee their homes to avoid becoming casualties as the flames have destroyed thousands of structures.
City and state officials have faced criticism over the seeming lack of preparation for the current fire. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass came under fire when it was reported that the city cut its fire department budget in favor of other initiatives. She claims these cuts did not impact the department’s firefighting ability.
“There were no reductions that were made that would have impacted the situation that we were dealing with over the last couple of days,” she said on Thursday.
Others, including President-elect Donald Trump, have taken aim at California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his failure to prepare for the wildfires.
“Fire is spreading rapidly for 3 days — ZERO CONTAINMENT. Nobody has ever seen such failed numbers before! Gross incompetence by Gavin Newscum and Karen Bass….And Biden’s FEMA has no money — all wasted on the Green New Scam! L.A. is a total wipeout!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Meanwhile, residents are being threatened with arrest if they choose to ignore evacuation orders, Sky News reported.
People who ignore evacuation orders will be arrested, the county sheriff warns.
Robert Luna says officers have had to provide food and blankets to people who have stayed in impacted areas.
He says this "puts lives at risk", not just their own.
"When we have an evacuation order, by law, if you remain in that area you are guilty of a misdemeanour," he says.
"This is different to a curfew, why? Because it's 24/7, I don't have to wait for the sun to go down."
There are 179,000 people under evacuation orders, he adds, up from around 130,000 previously, with 200,000 under evacuation warnings.
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Some individuals have taken advantage of the chaos. LAPD officers have arrested at least 20 people for looting during the wildfires, the Los Angeles Times reported. L.A. Supervisor Kathryn Barger during a Thursday news conference that those engaged in these activities “will be held accountable.”
The current fires have been the most dangerous the region has experienced in over four decades. Experts told The Associated Press that the speed of the Santa Ana winds have contributed greatly to the spread of the fires.
Famous Gladstones restaurant on PCH burning, along with dozens of homes on PCH. Evacuation zones for Palisades fire reach from Calabasas to the ocean, a 20 mile stretch.
— Dhruv (@dhruv2038) January 8, 2025
More than 500, probably 1,000 homes (or more) and structures in Palisades, Malibu, AltaDena, Sierra Madre… pic.twitter.com/wpDRhFqfkA
🇺🇸 What is known about the fires in California:
— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) January 9, 2025
➡️The total area of the fires in Los Angeles County has reached nearly 11,000 hectares, according to data from the California Fire Service.
➡️Over 175,000 electricity consumers in the county are without power.
➡️The fire area… pic.twitter.com/szJGiTlK6n
California’s wildfires are becoming increasingly devastating due to a combination of factors:
— Ravi Karkara (@ravikarkara) January 8, 2025
Extreme Weather: Intense Santa Ana winds, the strongest in over a decade, are rapidly spreading flames, with gusts exceeding 100 mph.
Drought and Climate Change: Prolonged dry… pic.twitter.com/O4NGyDbcB3
Tim Brown, director of the Western Regional Climate Center told the AP that “It’s really just the perfect alignment of everything in the atmosphere to give you this pattern and strong wind.”
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