(BBC): Firefighters are working harder to save Brentwood, one of the most upscale communities in the city, from being overtaken by the biggest wildfire that threatens Los Angeles. In an effort to contain the Palisades fire, which has spread by another 1,000 acres, aerial crews are delivering water and fire retardants.
Initial containment efforts were impeded by dry hydrants, which have raised fears about the rapidly spreading fire. Now, officials are being criticized for the way they handled resources throughout the crisis.
Overnight, wind conditions are predicted to get worse, which will probably make the fires that have already killed at least 16 people worse. Eleven of these deaths have been linked to the Eaton fire, and five to the Palisades fire, according to the LA County coroner's office.
The powerful Santa Ana winds that first fuelled the fires may get stronger throughout the weekend, making containment more challenging, according to a warning from the National Weather Service.
The federal government, Canada, Mexico, and seven neighboring states have mobilized resources to help California fight the destructive wildfires.
The unfolding situation was characterized by Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath as a night of "unimaginable terror and heartbreak," which reflected the somber reality that both officials and civilians had to deal with.
The Palisades fire, which has burnt about 23,000 acres and is just 11% contained, has seen only little progress. Areas in Brentwood and Mandeville Canyon, where well-known people like LeBron James and Arnold Schwarzenegger dwell, have been placed under evacuation orders.
Within the evacuation zone is the Getty Center, which is home to more than 125,000 pieces of art by well-known artists like Van Gogh and Monet. To preserve the cultural gem, authorities are keeping a careful eye on the situation even though the building is still intact.
The Getty Center expressed worry for the safety of its neighbors in the impacted area and reassured the public in a post on X that the site is stable despite some surrounding hot spots.
Over 14,000 acres have been burned by the second-largest fire, the Eaton fire, which is 15% contained. In the meantime, the Kenneth and Hurst fires, two minor flames, have largely been contained by firefighters.
The Palisades and Eaton fires together have destroyed an area more than twice the size of Manhattan, while the sources of the flames are still unknown. A total of 166,000 residents have been told that they may need to evacuate, and nearly 153,000 are under mandatory evacuation orders.
Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered a probe into a reservoir outage that may have led to the fire hydrant failures, raising political concerns. Newsom, who might run for president, has promised to deal with the situation.
Over 100 fire apparatuses were out of commission as a result of budget cuts and a shortage of operational fire hydrants, which were criticized by Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. She emphasized how important it is to have reliable water sources in times of crisis.
All of the hydrants in Pacific Palisades and LA's Westside were operational before the fires, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which denied reports of hydrant failures.
After facing criticism for her presence in Ghana when the flames started, Mayor Karen Bass stressed that she was focused on rescuing lives and settling any disputes with Chief Crowley in private. A petition calling for her resignation has amassed over 70,000 signatures as a result of public dissatisfaction with her absence.
A rigorous curfew from sundown to morning has been implemented in order to preserve order in the evacuated neighborhoods. In an effort to improve neighborhood safety, Governor Newsom declared that 1,680 National Guard members will be deployed.
As worries about looting in neighborhoods affected by fires continue to rise, authorities have made almost two dozen arrests for burglary, looting, and curfew breaches.
Cadaver dogs are helping search and rescue teams comb through communities that have been ravaged. As house-to-house searches are carried out, Sheriff Robert Luna issued a warning that the number of fatalities may increase.
Car wheels melted into metal puddles due to the ferocity of the fires. According to estate agent Rick McGeagh, only six of the sixty houses in his neighborhood in Pacific Palisades made it out alive. Among the ashes and debris, the only remnant of his house was a statue of the Virgin Mary.
