A series of ferocious wildfires, has engulfed areas in Los Angeles, destroying thousands of homes and killing at least five people. A significant number of injuries have also been reported, though officials could not share a more exact number.
Nearly 16,000 acres and about 1,000 structures have been destroyed, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone confirmed during Wednesday’s press briefing.
How Many Wildfires Have Taken Place In LA?
• The Palisades Fire erupted on Tuesday morning in Pacific Palisades, a Los Angeles County neighborhood east of Malibu, as a brush fire. The blaze had grown to more than 15,000 acres by Wednesday afternoon, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
• The Eaton Fire started on Tuesday night near a canyon in the sprawling national forest lands north of downtown Los Angeles and had exploded to more than 10,000 acres by Wednesday, according to the US Forest Service.
• The Hurst Fire ignited on Tuesday night in Sylmar, a suburban neighbourhood north of San Fernando, as a brush fire and quickly grew to 500 acres, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley said, as per NBC News.
What Has Caused The Wildfires?
The wildfires have spread due to the lack of precipitation, dry fuel, and strong winds measuring up to 99 miles per hour.
According to climate experts, the devastating nature of fires is also due to climate change, which has exacerbated the size, intensity and damage caused by the wildfires in recent years.
Southern California has had less than 1% of average rainfall since October 1 with powerful offshore winds hitting the region prompting fire. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning, indicating an increased risk for fire danger to 19 million people. Wind gusts topping 70 mph were recorded at several locations across the region
