LOS ANGELES: Firefighters fought several deadly wildfires that swept through communities in Los Angeles County, destroying over 10,000 homes, businesses, vehicles, and other buildings.
During a Thursday briefing, officials reported that more than 5,000 structures were consumed by the Eaton Fire. In the Palisades Fire, Cal Fire conducted an aerial survey estimating that 5,316 structures, including homes, businesses, and smaller buildings like RVs and sheds, may have been destroyed.
According to Cal Fire, five active fires were raging in Los Angeles County, burning over 45 square miles across the region. The Palisades Fire, in the coastal Pacific Palisades community, and the Eaton Fire, situated in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, were the largest blazes, both remaining at 0% containment.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed five fatalities, two from the Palisades Fire and at least three from the Eaton Fire, but noted that the death toll is likely to increase.
At a Thursday evening news briefing, Luna was asked, "Do you think it's going to grow?" He responded, "I am praying it doesn't, but based on the devastation that is clear – it looks like a bomb, an atomic bomb – dropped in these areas, I don't expect good news."
Luna earlier stated that nearly 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, with an additional 200,000 under evacuation warnings. He also mentioned that 20 individuals have been arrested for looting.
Luna said, "Individuals who chose to go into areas and deprive these poor people who have been through so much, absolutely unacceptable. If you are in one of these areas where you do not belong, you are going to be arrested." The sheriff announced plans to impose a curfew in fire-affected areas starting Thursday, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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