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11 dead and 12,000 buildings destroyed as Los Angeles fires continue to burn
Fires raging in the Los Angeles area have reduced some 12,000 structures to ash and rubble, killed at least 11, displaced thousands of others and spread over an area larger than the size of the city of Manchester.
Five of the victims have so far been identified.
The first to be identified was Victor Shaw, a 66-year-old Altadena resident who was found dead with a garden hose in his hand.
Later 67-year old Anthony Mitchell and his adult son Justin, aged in his early twenties, were also confirmed dead in their Altadena home.
Mr Mitchell was a retiree and an amputee and was waiting for an ambulance to pick up his some Justin, who suffered from cerebral palsy.
Another Altadena resident, Rodney Nickerson, has been confirmed dead and LA Police have also confirmed that 83-year-old Erliene Kelley 83 has died in the fires.
Fears were raised about Ms Kelley after she had refused to evacuate her home of more than 60 years.
The blazes started Tuesday, powered by gusts from the Santa Ana winds, which slackened Thursday, though forecasters warn they could pick back up later this weekend. Los Angeles city and county officials said Friday that the blazes ravaging the Palisades were 8% contained while the fire burning in Altadena was just 3% contained.
The LA County medical examiner’s office said at least 11 have died, with five from the Palisades Fire along the coast and six from the Eaton Fire father inland.
Still unclear is the financial impact from the damage, though an estimate from AccuWeather, a private firm that provides weather data, estimated the toll to be about $135 billion to $150 billion.
Government officials haven’t given a damage estimate yet.
Here’s a closer look at what to know about the fires.
More than 5,300 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the hilly coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history. Dozens of blocks were flattened to smoldering rubble, with only the outlines of homes and their chimneys left.
Among those whose homes were destroyed were a number of celebrities, including Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal.
The wreckage surpassed that of the Sayre Fire of November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, the northernmost suburb of the city, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance, a partnership between the city’s fire department and MySafe:LA.
Farther inland, the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena burned more than 7,000 structures, including homes, apartment or commercial buildings and vehicles. It also substantially damaged five school campuses in Altadena and scorched more than 21 square miles (54 square kilometers).
A newer blaze, the Kenneth Fire, was 50% contained Friday, one day after the Los Angeles Fire Department issued evacuation orders. It broke out near West Hills, a neighborhood densely packed with homes in the San Fernando Valley.
Flames that threatened the Hollywood Hills Wednesday evening were under control and evacuation orders were lifted Thursday morning.
Altogether, the fires have consumed about 56 square miles (142 square kilometers) — larger than the size of Manchester.
The fires destroyed a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic parish and a half-dozen Protestant churches.
Sacred Torah scrolls were all that’s left of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, an 80-year-old synagogue.
The cantor, Ruth Berman Harris, and three companions rushed in to rescue the scrolls when flames were already attacking the campus.
The Masjid Al-Taqwa mosque also burned. It was started as an African American place of worship, and in the past 20 years had attracted diverse young families as well as professionals and college students.
The wildfires destroyed Altadena Community Church, known for its colorful stained glass and for hosting a popular choir. Altadena United Methodist Church and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Altadena were also leveled.
In Pacific Palisades, Corpus Christi Catholic Church and Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church were destroyed.
California National Guard troops arrived on the streets of Altadena before dawn Friday to help protect property in the fire evacuation zone. At least 20 arrests have been made for looting.
Officials promised looters who took advantage of the wildfire crisis will be prosecuted.
“This is simply unacceptable,” Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said. “I promise you, you will be held accountable.”
Officials said Friday that National Guardsman will be deployed to the Palisades Fire area to manage traffic.
More than 150,000 people were under evacuation orders Friday, officials said.
The flames threatened highly populated and affluent neighborhoods, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, home to California’s rich and famous. Hollywood stars including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods were among those forced to flee, and Moore later said she lost her home in Altadena.
A thick cloud of smoke and ash filled the skies, prompting air and dust advisories for 17 million people across Southern California, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
In East Los Angeles, the air quality index hit an unhealthy 173. Good air quality is considered to be 50 or less.
Dr. Puneet Gupta, the assistant medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said wildfire smoke can cause heart attacks and worsen asthma, while burning homes can release cyanide and carbon dioxide.
Several events have been canceled and postponed due to the fires.
The Critics Choice Awards rescheduled Sunday ceremonies in Santa Monica for Jan. 26.
The organization that puts on the Oscars extended the voting window for Academy Award nominations and delayed next week’s planned nominations announcement.
Film studios canceled two movie premieres and Universal Studios canceled shooting for numerous series.
The Universal Studios Hollywood theme park closed for the day, but Disneyland, which is farther from the fires in Anaheim, remained open.
All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District remained closed Friday.
The NFL moved the Los Angeles Rams’ wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings to Arizona because of the fires. The game will be played Monday night. And the NBA postponed the Lakers’ game against the Hornets.
More than 175,000 customers were without electricity in Southern California, nearly half of them in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide.
Sewer, water and power infrastructure across the region has been significantly damaged, officials said.
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