Whole Streets Burn as Fires Rage Around Los Angeles

At least five people have been killed in devastating wildfires raging around Los Angeles, officials reported Wednesday, as firefighters struggle to contain the rapid and intense infernos.

Over 1,500 buildings have been destroyed, and more than 100,000 residents have been forced to evacuate as multiple fires engulf areas of America’s second-largest city. Hurricane-force winds have fanned the flames, creating fireballs that leapt from house to house in Pacific Palisades, an affluent neighbourhood known for its celebrity residents.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone described the situation as dire.

“We're doing everything we can, but we simply don’t have enough personnel across the county to handle this level of disaster,” he said.

The fire in Pacific Palisades has already consumed approximately 16,000 acres (6,500 hectares), destroying 1,000 homes and businesses. Meanwhile, a separate 10,600-acre blaze is tearing through Altadena, north of Los Angeles, leaving suburban streets in ruins.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed five fatalities but warned that the death toll could rise.
“This is a fluid situation. There’s zero containment on these fires. I’m praying we don’t find more victims, but I fear the worst,” he said.

'All Our Dreams Are Gone'
Altadena resident William Gonzales narrowly escaped with his life, but his home was not so fortunate.
“We’ve lost practically everything; the flames have consumed all our dreams,” he said. “We evacuated at 3 a.m. as ordered, and now our house is no longer a house.”

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin reported the loss of up to 500 buildings but commended first responders for their efforts to save lives.
“Our death toll would be much higher without their heroic actions,” he said.

Fierce winds have exacerbated the crisis, pushing embers across vast distances and igniting new fires faster than crews can respond. A dense pall of smoke blankets the region, while downed trees and debris hinder evacuation efforts. Authorities are urging residents to stay off the roads.

Water Shortages and Misinformation
In Pacific Palisades, hydrants have run dry. Janisse Quinones, head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, urged residents to conserve water.
President-elect Donald Trump falsely attributed the shortage to California’s environmental policies, ignoring that much of the region's water comes from the Colorado River and that agriculture consumes the majority of the supply.

President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom surveyed the devastation in Los Angeles.
“We’ll do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to contain these fires,” Biden assured reporters.

Record Losses Feared
The Pacific Palisades fire is likely to rank among the costliest in history, with estimated losses reaching $57 billion, according to AccuWeather.

Longtime Santa Monica Canyon resident Martin Sansing expressed disbelief.
"We’re in an urban area, not up in the hills. I never imagined this could happen here," he said.

Over 1.5 million households are without power, as utilities preemptively de-energize lines during high winds to prevent further outbreaks.

A Changing Climate
Wildfires are a natural phenomenon in the U.S. West, but scientists point to human-caused climate change as a driver of recent catastrophic fire seasons. Decades of drought followed by two unusually wet years have created abundant vegetation, which now serves as fuel for the flames.

Meteorologist Daniel Swain noted that the winds, reaching up to 100 miles per hour, are stronger than typical Santa Ana winds but not entirely unexpected.
“The real issue is the incredible dryness we’ve experienced over the past six months,” Swain said. “We haven’t seen conditions like this in over 150 years of recorded history.”

As Los Angeles battles the blazes, the resilience of its residents and the determination of firefighters are being pushed to the limit.