By Anthony Marcus, correspondent. Eurasia Business News, January 12, 2024. Article n°1370.

As cataclysmic wildfires has been raging across Los Angeles since January 7. At least 16 people have been killed and 10,000 structures and buildings have been damaged of destroyed by fire.

Los Angeles firefighters made progress against the deadly wildfires, but the death toll is expected to climb further.

Crews make headway in fight against city’s largest blaze, but resurgent winds could pose fresh danger.

As Los Angeles faces its most destructive fire, Mayor Karen Bass is criticized for an overseas trip in Africa on January 4 and prior budget cuts impacting firefighting resources and water supplies.

Death Toll Rises: The death toll from the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles has increased to 16, with five fatalities from the Palisades Fire and eleven from the Eaton Fire. Officials anticipate this number may rise as search teams conduct thorough searches in devastated neighborhoods.

Evacuations and Warnings: Approximately 180,000 residents in Los Angeles County are currently under evacuation orders, with more than 700 individuals seeking refuge in shelters. New evacuation warnings have been issued as the fires threaten significant landmarks like the J. Paul Getty Museum and UCLA.

Fire Conditions: The wildfires have consumed around 62 square miles, an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades and Eaton fires account for most of this destruction, with containment efforts reporting only 11% and 15% containment, respectively.

From the mountains to the coast, huge swaths of smoke and flames rose from the area as fire crews battled the wind-driven blaze. By Tuesday evening, the brush fire had jumped the Pacific Coast Highway, nearly reaching Will Rogers Beach State Park.

Weather Challenges: Resurgent Santa Ana winds are expected to exacerbate fire conditions, with gusts potentially reaching up to 70 mph. The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings due to the dry climate and strong winds, which will persist through mid-January.

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Community Impact: The fires have destroyed over 11,000 structures, leaving many residents to return to charred remains of their homes. Community leaders express deep concern over the destruction and the ongoing risk posed by the fires.

A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses so far between $135 billion and $150 billion. By comparison, AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic losses caused by Hurricane Helene, which tore across six southeastern states last fall, at $225 billion to $250 billion.

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As firefighting crews continue their efforts amidst these challenging conditions, the situation remains critical with expectations of further wind-driven fire spread in the coming days.

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© Copyright 2025 – Eurasia Business News. Article no. 1370.