7 killed, thousands of homes destroyed as apocalyptic fires rage in Los Angeles

At least seven people have died and thousands of structures destroyed as ferocious wildfires swept through Los Angeles, US officials said.

Fast-moving flames, fuelled by intense dry winds, ripped through houses and businesses, forcing tens of thousands to flee smoke-choked canyons and neighbourhoods dotted with celebrity homes. Two more deaths from the blaze in the Pacific Palisades on Thursday brought the total fatalities to at least seven, officials told CNN. Five of the victims perished in the Eaton Fire, one of four large, active wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Officials fear the toll could rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

The Palisades Fire gutted the predominantly residential neighbourhood, sweeping through 200 acres and necessitating mandatory evacuations. It was expanding rapidly, with firefighters struggling to contain it due to strong winds and fire hydrants running dry, according to the New York Times.

Over 5,000 structures in Pacific Palisades alone were either damaged or destroyed, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history. Nearly 27 square miles (70 square km) have burned in the coastal neighbourhood.

Nearly 180,000 people were under evacuation orders as of Thursday. Affluent neighbourhoods such as Calabasas, Santa Monica and West Hills were threatened by flames. Hollywood stars, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and Paris Hilton, were among those displaced. Fires have scorched about 45 square miles (117 square km) across Los Angeles county, equivalent to the size of San Francisco. Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna described the devastation as resembling “an atomic bomb dropped in these areas.”

More than 7,500 personnel, including firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency support staff, are working to combat the fires. California has deployed over 1,400 firefighting personnel, with additional teams sent from Oregon, Washington, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona

US President Joe Biden authorised federal resources and funding to combat the fires, calling them the “worst fires to ever hit Los Angeles.” The new funding will cover 100% of costs for hazardous materials removal, shelters, first responder salaries, and protective measures for 180 days.

A technical error mistakenly sent evacuation warnings to millions of residents across Los Angeles County on Thursday afternoon, sparking panic and confusion before officials issued a correction. Private weather company AccuWeather estimated the economic damage and losses from the fires at $135 billion to $150 billion. Official government estimates are pending.

The fires were exacerbated by powerful Santa Ana winds that gusted to over 70 mph (112 kmph) in some areas. Although the winds have decreased, the National Weather Service warned that even reduced gusts could still spread fires rapidly.