California Governor Gavin Newsom deployed 400 National Guard troops to neighborhoods affected by the fires to establish checkpoints and prevent looting. And to support efforts to contain multiple blazes, including the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, and Hurst Fire.
Newsom shared a statement on X (formerly Twitter) saying, “Joining pre-positioned personnel and assets, the Governor deployed the California National Guard personnel to assist in responding to the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, and Hurst Fire,” the post read.
Cal Fire reported that one of its crews endured a grueling 24-hour shift battling the blazes before finally pulling into an incident command post Wednesday morning.
“Fortunately, everyone is healthy,” the agency said. “They say it was an incredibly tough firefight with unrelenting winds.”
The wildfires have already forced thousands to evacuate their homes, with flames consuming vast areas of land and threatening residential neighborhoods.
Current aftermath
The ongoing wildfires across Los Angeles have wreaked havoc on the city, claiming at least 11 lives and destroying over 12,000 homes and other structures.
An estimated 180,000 residents remain under evacuation orders, with another 166,800 facing warnings as firefighters struggle to control six major blazes consuming approximately 56 square miles (145 square kilometers) of the region.
The fires have obliterated a range of buildings, including homes, schools, libraries, religious institutions, small businesses, and cherished local landmarks.
Economic loses
With economic losses projected to reach $150 billion, the scale of destruction is staggering. As cadaver dogs continue searching the charred remnants of neighborhoods, officials anticipate discovering more victims.
In addition to manpower, the state has mobilized air support, including water-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, to combat the flames from above.
Emergency shelters have been set up across the region to accommodate displaced residents, offering temporary refuge from the chaos.
Governor Newsom has urged Californians to stay vigilant and heed evacuation orders, emphasizing the importance of safety during this unprecedented wildfire season.
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“Protecting lives and property is our top priority,” Newsom said in a statement. “We will continue to deploy every resource available to combat these fires and support those affected.”
One video posted by Resist Times on X(Twitter) shows two man and their home pet, dog, barricaded in their home from the raging fires.
The Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, the two largest blazes, remain only eight percent and three percent contained, respectively.
High winds, which initially fanned the flames, have lessened, offering some relief to the 6,200 firefighters on the ground. Despite this, challenges persist, exacerbated by systemic issues.
One glaring obstacle is the drained Santa Ynez Reservoir in Pacific Palisades, which once held 117 million gallons of water but is currently out of service. This critical resource could have significantly aided firefighting efforts.
Further compounding the crisis is a controversial decision by Mayor Karen Bass to cut the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget by $17.6 million earlier this year while increasing the Los Angeles Police Department’s budget by $126 million.
Health and Environmental Impacts
The fires have also unleashed an environmental and public health crisis. Toxic smoke from burning buildings, vehicles, and other materials contains harmful substances such as microplastics, lead, mercury, carbon monoxide, and benzene.
Millions of residents are now exposed to hazardous air quality, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) posing significant risks to respiratory and cardiovascular health. Hospitals and clinics, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, have reported surging cases of asthma, lung inflammation, and pulmonary fibrosis. However, many clinics have been forced to close due to the fires, further straining the city’s healthcare system.
The Future
As firefighters continue their grueling efforts to contain the flames, the Los Angeles wildfires serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need for systemic change. From addressing climate change to ensuring adequate funding for emergency services, the challenges ahead are immense.
For now, the city’s focus remains on protecting lives and property. But as the smoke clears, questions about accountability and preparedness will undoubtedly dominate the conversation, forcing leaders to confront the failures that have left Los Angeles vulnerable to such devastation.