Los Angeles wildfires claim 5 lives, force 180,000 evacuations across California — see heart-breaking pictures

As devastating wildfires rage across multiple locations in Los Angeles, California, at least five people have been confirmed dead, and another 180,000 have been ordered to evacuate their homes, according to an AP report citing officials. Thousands of structures burned in the fierce and fast-moving flames blazed as smoke-filled canyons and picturesque neighbourhoods that house Hollywood celebrities and sports figures.

On January 7, many towering fires spread fast due to the powerful Santa Ana winds — over 112 kph in some spots, as per the AP report. As of January 9, the winds have dropped, but the National Weather Service warned that these winds can still spread fire rapidly, adding that another round of strong winds may form on January 14 (Tuesday).

For now, 5 have been confirmed dead, but the exact death toll remains unclear, the report added. Numbers are expected to rise as crews begin to search the rubble.

Governor Gavin Newsom said California has deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to battle the fires, and help has been dispatched from states like Oregon, Washington, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.

AccuWeather, a private company that provides data on weather and its impact, increased its estimate of the damage and economic loss to $135 billion to $150 billion.

Top things to know about the California Wildfires

The Palisades Fire is the most destructive in LA history

Thousands of structures have been damaged or destroyed in the hilly coastal neighbourhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history. According to statistics from the Wildfire Alliance, the devastation has surpassed the Sayre Fire of November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, the northernmost suburb of the city. The Wildfire Alliance is a partnership between the city’s fire department and MySafe: LA.

Nearly 70 square kilometres burned in Pacific Palisades, which is dotted with celebrity homes and was memorialized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit “Surfin’ USA.” The flames torched part of Palisades Charter High School, which has featured in many Hollywood productions, including the 1976 horror movie “Carrie” and the TV series “Teen Wolf.” Actor Billy Crystal and his wife Janice lost their home of 45 years.

Other fires are also causing havoc

• The Eaton Fire north of Pasadena burned more than 4,000 structures including homes, apartments or commercial buildings and vehicles. 
• It also substantially damaged five school campuses in Altadena and scorched over 43 square kilometers. Employees at a senior center pushed dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds to a parking lot to escape.

• The Los Angeles Fire Department issued evacuation orders in the afternoon on January 9 for a new blaze, named the Kenneth fire, which broke out near West Hills. The neighbourhood is densely packed with homes in the San Fernando Valley, about 18 km northwest of Pacific Palisades. 
• The Hurst Fire, which started Tuesday night, prompted evacuations in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley and grew to 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometres). 
• In the Hollywood Hills, the Sunset Fire broke out Wednesday evening and burned near the Hollywood Bowl and other iconic landmarks. Firefighters were able to hold it to under 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometres), and evacuation orders were lifted Thursday morning.

Altogether, the fires have consumed about 117 square kilometres — roughly the size of San Francisco.

Biden approves additional funding

United States President Joe Biden said on January 9 that he was releasing federal resources and approved additional funding to help California battle the fires. This will cover 100 per cent of the cost for 180 days for hazardous materials removal, temporary shelters, first responder salaries and measures to protect life, he said.

On whether President-elect Donald Trump will continue federal funding for California once he takes over the office, Biden said: “I pray to God they will.”

Thousands have been ordered to evacuate

Nearly 180,000 people were under evacuation orders on January 9 (Thursday) as flames threatened highly populated and affluent neighbourhoods, including Calabasas and Santa Monica. Residents here include Hollywood's rich and famous, such as Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods. Moore later said she lost her home in Altadena.

Bad air quality affecting millions

A thick cloud of smoke and ash filled the skies, prompting air and dust advisories for 17 million people across a vast stretch of Southern California, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The worst conditions were in the vicinity of the fires. 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 could cause heart attacks and worsen asthma while burning homes can release cyanide and carbon dioxide.

Several events have been canceled and postponed

• The Critics Choice Awards rescheduled Sunday (January 12) ceremonies in Santa Monica for January 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 cancelled two movie premieres.
• The Universal Studios Hollywood theme park closed for the day, but Disneyland, which is farther from the fires in Anaheim, remained open.

• Universal Studios also cancelled shooting for numerous series, including “Hacks,” “Ted Lasso” and “Suits LA.” 
• All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District were closed Thursday (January 9).
• The NBA postponed the Lakers' game against the Hornets, and the NFL said it is monitoring conditions to determine if Monday's (January 13) playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings will be affected.

Many people are without power and water

Over 415,000 people were without electricity in Southern California, and about half of them were in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide. According to officials, sewer, water and power infrastructure across the region has been significantly damaged, the AP report said.

Looters arrested

Officials promised that looters who take advantage of the wildfire crisis by targeting vulnerable communities would be prosecuted. At least 20 arrests have been made. “This is simply unacceptable. I promise you, you will be held accountable,” Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said. 

Officials planned to implement a curfew around the two main fires as early as Thursday evening, and National Guard members were expected to be stationed near burn areas.

(With inputs from AP)