A strong cold front has brought hurricane-force winds to the Los Angeles area, exacerbating two massive wildfires that have already killed at least 24 people. The Santa Ana winds could reach speeds of up to 75 mph, threatening the firefighting efforts.
More than 90,000 residents in the Los Angeles area are under evacuation orders, with over 12,000 structures damaged or destroyed. The Palisades and Eaton fires, which started last week, have consumed over 38,000 acres of land, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.
The California Governor’s office has announced additional disaster aid for the state, while banks have eased mortgage repayment conditions to help those affected. Insurers are bracing for historic losses.
As the situation continues to unfold, authorities are warning of a high risk of fatalities and property damage. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office has reported finding human remains in burned-out areas, and deputies are working tirelessly to contain the fires.
The US President has expressed condolences for the victims, while Republicans in Congress are considering imposing conditions on disaster aid, accusing the state’s Democratic leadership of mismanaging water resources and forests.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/los-angeles-high-alert-with-extreme-winds-due-return-2025-01-13