The American city of Los Angeles is facing one of the largest natural disasters in its modern history, as the city suffers from huge forest fires that are getting stronger day by day. Despite the great efforts made by the firefighting teams, the fires are still out of control and spreading quickly, threatening the lives of residents and property alike.
The death toll is increasing
According to the authorities in Los Angeles, at least five people have been killed due to the massive fires that swept through the city, and this death toll is expected to rise as the investigation progresses. Authorities previously announced that two people had been killed, but with the continued search and inspection in the affected areas, the death toll has risen to five. They consider the situation “very volatile,” as firefighters have not yet fully contained the blaze. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna expressed his deep concern about the increasing number of victims in the coming days, although he hopes that the number will not increase significantly. More than 1,500 buildings destroyed
These devastating fires have destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in different areas of Los Angeles. Homes, businesses, and public buildings such as schools and libraries were among the targets of the fires. These fires have forced more than 100,000 people to evacuate their homes in different parts of the city. The destruction in some areas such as Palisades has reached immeasurable levels, with many properties completely damaged, leaving thousands of people homeless.
The situation is still very volatile, and the fire is not at all contained. The Los Angeles County Sheriff said, “I really pray that we don’t find more (dead), but I don’t think that will be the case.”
The US President intervenes in the crisis
In light of the worsening situation, US President Joe Biden has canceled his scheduled trip to Italy and announced his full focus on the efforts to combat the fires in Los Angeles. This decision came after Biden had previously met with firefighters, police and local officials to coordinate federal efforts to combat this disaster.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre explained that Biden decided to head to Los Angeles instead of traveling to Italy in order to follow the federal government’s response directly. The trip to Italy was supposed to be the US president’s last foreign trip before his term ends on January 20. However, Biden decided to cancel this trip in order to closely monitor the events in Los Angeles and ensure coordination between local and federal authorities. This decision reflects the seriousness of the situation and the need for concerted efforts to confront this natural disaster.
Life-threatening danger in Hollywood
Later on Wednesday, authorities in Los Angeles ordered residents of the historic Hollywood area to evacuate their homes after a new fire broke out near the famous Hollywood Boulevard. The Los Angeles Fire Department said: “The threat to life is immediate. This is a legal order to leave now.” She noted that the area had become off-limits to the public, and that the danger was rapidly approaching residential areas. This area, which is one of the most famous places in the world, was only a few hundred meters away from the fire, which increased concerns about the ability of firefighters to control the situation in this vital area.
Massive Fires Destroy Palisades
In the Palisades area, the situation was more catastrophic. The fire completely destroyed many buildings, including commercial homes, restaurants, and libraries. It reduced many properties to smoldering rubble, leaving residents in a state of terror and confusion.
Winter Fires: Is Climate Change the Cause?
Many may wonder why these large fires broke out in the winter season, as it is unusual for Los Angeles to witness large fires at this time of year. January is usually one of the wettest months of the year in the city, making major fires rare. However, climate change appears to have had a significant impact on the behavior of the fires, with temperatures and weather extremes becoming more extreme. After a period of wet conditions, the city experienced severe drought, which helped fuel the fires faster and more intensely.
The Santa Ana winds, which are strong, warm, seasonal winds, are known to play a major role in starting fires in this area. These winds swept the area with exceptional force, which increased the speed at which the fires spread. These winds usually come at this time of year, but they were stronger this time, making them a major factor in igniting the fires and spreading them quickly.
The impact of drought on the fires
As local authorities have stated, the severe drought that Los Angeles has experienced in recent months is a major factor in this disaster. The city experienced the driest rainy season in more than 80 years, which dried out the plants and trees, which were ideal fuel for fires. This drought, combined with strong winds, has made the area more susceptible to fires breaking out more and faster than ever before.
Climate Change Impact on Fires
Climate change is undoubtedly playing a major role in the intensification of fires in many areas around the world, including Los Angeles. As temperatures rise and the variability between seasons increases, fires are becoming more destructive and faster spreading. Accordingly, the world faces significant challenges in combating this phenomenon, which has become significantly more frequent in recent years.
How can this crisis be dealt with?
In order to confront this crisis, local and federal authorities must intensify their efforts to combat fires and provide the necessary support to those affected. The situation requires tight coordination between firefighting teams and police, as well as a rapid response from the federal government to provide assistance. Authorities must also work on providing shelters for residents evacuated from their homes and compensate them for the damage to their property. Finally, expanding the use of modern firefighting techniques and raising awareness of climate change are necessary steps to reduce the impact of these disasters in the future.
