The Los Angeles area remains on edge following a destructive wildfire erupted on January 7, which expanded due to strong winds. According to the media reports, at least seven people have lost their lives in the wildfires that ravaged the communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena. However, the toll is likely to increase. As of Thursday, the fires continued to burn, leaving the region anxious and preparing for more destruction.
Pictures of the devastation showed luxurious homes that collapsed in a whirlwind of flaming embers. Swimming pools were blackened with soot, and sports cars slumped on melted tyres. Hollywood stars including Paris Hilton, Mandy Moore and Cary Elwes lost their homes. Amid the devastating situation, US President Joe Biden approved additional funding to help California battle the fires, saying they were the worst fires to ever hit Los Angeles.
Hundreds and thousands of houses and other structures have been damaged in the fire in the hilly coastal neighbourhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history. The Eaton Fire north of Pasadena burned more than 4,000 structures, which includes homes, apartment or commercial buildings and vehicles. It also substantially damaged five school campuses in Altadena and scorched more than 16.5 square miles (43 square kilometres).
The current wreckage surpassed the “Sayre Fire of November 2008” which destroyed some 604 structures in Sylmar, as per the statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance. However, other fires also caused significant damage in the region. 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). The Sunset Fire, in the Hollywood Hills, broke out Wednesday evening and burned near the Hollywood Bowl and other iconic landmarks including homes of stars like Paris Hilton.
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