Ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles have not yet been brought under control, prompting city officials to reiterate urgent evacuation orders for residents on Thursday.
Currently, there are 5 separate ongoing wildfires in the vacinity of L.A. (map below) They include the Palisades Fire, Hurst Fire, Lidia Fire, Eaton Fire and Sunset Fire.
During a press conference, Mayor Karen Bass emphasized the gravity of the situation. The police reported the arrest of 20 individuals for looting and burglary in areas where evacuations are underway, with more apprehensions anticipated.
Bass described the crisis as a “historic firestorm” and called for community cooperation. She urged residents to evacuate when necessary, assist their neighbors, and, remain unified in the face of adversity.
Reporters are asking questions as to why Mayor Bass left the country on the onset of these fires. One journalist inquired about the effectiveness of her leadership during this disaster.
Focusing on the priority of saving lives, Bass acknowledged that an evaluation of the city’s preparedness would be conducted later. She also defended her decision to cut the fire department’s budget last year, stating that no reductions had directly impacted the ongoing emergency.
From the 2023-2024 budget to that of 2024-2025, the Los Angeles Fire Department experienced a decrease of over $17 million, falling from $837 million to approximately $819 million. Although Bass had initially suggested a more substantial cut of $23 million, this proposal was ultimately rejected.
Under Mayor Bass, the L.A Fire Department had a $17 million dollar decrease in budget, in an area that is subject to wildfires, which the Mayor is being criticized for.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone reported that the Eaton and Palisades wildfires remain entirely uncontained, with the Eaton fire having expanded to 10,600 acres, while the Palisades blaze has reached 17,234 acres.
In contrast, another wildfire, named Lidia, is currently 40% contained at 348 acres. Firefighters have successfully halted the progression of flames in Hollywood Hills and Sunset.
The Hurst fire, according to Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, is also uncontained. However, efforts to maintain the fire within a designated containment area have been successful, with crews actively fortifying the perimeter.
Arson investigators have been dispatched to the Palisades region to ascertain the cause of the fires, which have destroyed numerous structures in the community. The reason for these fires is still unknown.
Marrone indicated that the source of the blaze remains under investigation, and officials continue to prioritize uncovering the facts.
As of Thursday afternoon, approximately 180,000 residents have been evacuated, while an additional 200,000 are under evacuation warnings.
Additionally, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell expressed deep concern regarding the current fatality count, which stands at five, indicating that the numbers might increase.
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