The Santa Ana winds have fueled wildfires in Los Angeles and some parts of California recently, leading to the destruction of homes and the evacuation of thousands of residents. According to the latest reports, these wildfires have killed at least five people and burned over 27,000 acres of the area.
These are the largest Palisades and Eaton fires burning in the Los Angeles area. The Palisades has destroyed at least 5,000 structures, businesses, and other buildings and forced over 180,000 people to evacuate. Another 5,000 structures have been razed in the Eaton fire just outside the city.
The homes of celebrities including Paris Hilton, Adam Brody, Billy Crystal, Leighton Priyanka Chopra, and others were also burned down.
The Palisades, Eaton fires, the Sunset fire, the Hurst fire, and the Lidia fir are notably some of the fires burning across various regions of Southern California.
Despite the continued efforts from the firefighters, these fires are still out of control, with the current weather and climatic conditions making the situation worse for several days.
Oscar Nominations Delayed
The Oscar nominations for 2025 were also extended for two days in the wake of the current situation in Los Angeles, Southern California, sources said. The 97th Academy Awards were originally scheduled until January 17. These have been postponed to January 19.
The Academy sent an email from CEO Bill Kramer to members on Wednesday afternoon regarding the rescheduling of the event.
“We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California. So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you,” the email FroM OSCAR stated.
What’s the Latest?
The recent reports have suggested that around 179,000 residents in Los Angeles are under evacuation orders. Many of them have been leaving their homes, simply carrying their necessary essentials and belongings. While another 200,000 residents are also under the evacuation warning and can be required to leave their homes soon.
The officials on Thursday confirmed the deaths of two individuals from the Pacific Palisades fire. The death toll from the Eaton was three. Meanwhile, amid the situations, the cases of looting and thefts have been rising rapidly. As per the Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, 20 arrests have been made till now.
A new blaze, named Kenneth Fire, also erupted in the West Hills area of the city. The authorities have apprehended the individual suspected in relation to igniting the fire.
However, the cause of all these blazes is so far unknown and is under investigation.
Costliest Wildfire in US History?
As the condition continues to escalate, the insurance industry fears that this could prove to be one of the costliest wildfire outbreaks in US history. The insured losses are expected to exceed $8 billion due to the destruction of high-value properties.
What’s the Situation in California?
However, there is a glimmer of hope for the firefighters, as the fire weather forecast stated that conditions in Southern California have improved from ‘extremely critical’ to ‘critical.’.
There is also no forecast in the area for at least the next week, meaning that the conditions will remain stagnant for more days.
The power has been cut in the city, roads have been blocked with traffic jams, and schools and universities of California are to be closed.
Political Outlook
Additionally, a political argument has been disrupted in the city’s readiness after it was revealed that some firefighters are running short of water, leading to criticism from US President-elect Donald Trump.
In a press conference on Thursday, Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said that he hadn’t heard anything about running out of water or having low water pressure.
While Fire Chief Chad Augustin said that there was a brief period when a few hydrants had low pressure. He looked positive and said all issues will be resolved shortly. He explained that the problem occurred due to many fire engines using water at the same time and a power outage, causing reducing reduction in pressure.
About Santa Ana Winds
Santa Ana winds are strong, dry winds that blow from inland areas toward the coast of Southern California. These winds are known for their ability to quickly spread wildfires due to their high speeds and extremely low humidity. These are caused by high pressure builds up in Great Britain between the months of October and January.
The recent wildfires that spread across the regions of Southern California are caused by one of the strongest Santa Ana winds. These winds reach speeds of 60 to 70 mph, leading to wildfires in several neighborhood areas and making it difficult for firefighters to control the flames.
Kanishka Malhotra is a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for reporting and uncovering the truth. With a specialization in research and investigative Journalism, she has covered wide range of topics related to social issues, travel, lifestyle, technology, Entertainment and much more. She believes to express and share her creativity to the world through words. With relentless pursuit of knowing and uncovering the truth, Kanishka continues to leave a mark in the world of journalism.
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