Los Angeles evacuees warned to stay away from home for at least another week
On Thursday, officials in Los Angeles urged most wildfire evacuees to stay away from their homes for at least another week.
The situation in Los Angeles is quite serious. Officials are urging evacuees to avoid returning to their homes for at least another week as they continue to work on removing toxic waste, shutting off electricity and gas lines, and dealing with landslides that have further threatened the already damaged hillsides. The wildfires have inflicted considerable destruction, and ensuring the safety of residents remains the highest priority.
The wildfires have been raging for ten days, and firefighters are putting in continuous effort to bring them under control. Even with the recent red flag conditions of strong desert winds and low humidity, they have succeeded in keeping the fires from spreading. However, the National Weather Service has issued a warning that dangerous fire weather is likely to return soon.
The emotional burden on evacuees is significant. Many are anxious to go back home to evaluate the damage and recover any cherished items or medications, but authorities have determined that it is too risky. The fires have claimed at least 27 lives, and prioritizing the removal of hazardous materials from damaged or destroyed properties is essential.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed the visible emotional impact of the disaster, saying, "You can see the emotional toll that this disaster has taken on people. I spoke to individuals who have lost their homes or are uncertain about the status of their homes or missing pets. The toll you can see mounting on them."
The Palisades fire on the west side of Los Angeles has burned through 96 square kilometers and is currently 27 percent contained, indicating that firefighters have managed to control that portion of the perimeter.
The Eaton fire, which has affected 57 square kilometers in the foothills east of the city, is 55 percent contained.
In total, the two fires have burned 152 square kilometers—an area larger than Paris and nearly three times the size of Manhattan. A number of smaller wildfires in Southern California have been mostly or completely brought under control.
At least 12,000 structures, many of which are homes, have been destroyed or damaged, leaving 82,400 people still under evacuation orders and another 90,400 under evacuation warnings.
Some people disregarded evacuation orders and tragically lost their lives. Others felt they couldn't abandon their struggling neighbors and fought the flames with buckets.
Officials in Los Angeles County have announced that some residents in evacuation zones may be able to return home in less than a week, while others could experience longer delays as teams work to recover and identify charred human remains.
Homes that have been damaged or destroyed contain hazardous materials, which the US Environmental Protection Agency must remove before local agencies can clear debris and restore disrupted utilities.
The large amounts of debris and toxic substances have likely impacted or obstructed the region's flood control system, which needs to be cleared before the much-needed rainfall, following nine months of dry conditions, according to Mark Pestrella, director of Los Angeles County Public Works.
According to Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell, the department attempted to escort individuals back to their homes for short visits, but this resulted in blocked streets that are crucial for firetrucks and consumed too much of the officers' time.
Alongside immediate cleanup efforts, state and local authorities are preparing for a major reconstruction project by suspending regulations that could cause delays.
AccuWeather, a private weather forecasting service, predicts that damages and losses will surpass $250 billion, potentially making the fires in Los Angeles the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
This destruction further complicates the city's efforts to prepare for major sporting events, including parts of the 2026 World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympic Games. Experts believe it is improbable that the Olympics will be moved.
