What to know about the devastating LA-area fires

LOS ANGELES (AP):

Fires raging in the Los Angeles area reduced some 10,000 structures to ash and rubble, killed at least 10, displaced thousands of others and spread over an area larger than the size of San Francisco.

The blazes started Tuesday, powered by gusts from the Santa Ana winds, which slackened Thursday, though forecasters warn they could pick back up later this weekend. Los Angeles city and county officials said early Friday that the blazes ravaging the Palisades were eight per cent contained while the fire burning in Altadena was just three per cent contained.

The death toll still isn’t entirely clear, but officials have said at least 10 have died, including two in the Palisades Fire along the coast and five in the Eaton Fire more inland.

Still unclear as well is the financial impact from the damage, though an estimate from AccuWeather, a private firm that provides weather data, estimated the toll to be about $135 billion to $150 billion. Government officials haven’t given a damage estimate yet.

Here’s a closer look at what to know about the fires.

HISTORIC DESTRUCTION HITS NEIGHBOURHOODS

More than 5,300 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the hilly coastal neighbourhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history. Dozens of blocks were flattened to smouldering rubble, with only the outlines of homes and their chimneys left. Among those whose homes were destroyed were a number of celebrities, including Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal.

The wreckage surpassed that of the Sayre Fire of November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, the northernmost suburb of the city, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance, a partnership between the city’s fire department and MySafe:LA.

More than 30 square miles (77 square kilometres) burned in Pacific Palisades, which was memorialised in the 1960s Beach Boys hit Surfin’ USA. The flames torched iconic landmarks including part of Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions, including the 1976 horror movie Carrie and the TV series Teen Wolf.

Farther inland, the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena burned more than 5,000 structures, including homes, apartment or commercial buildings and vehicles. It also substantially damaged five school campuses in Altadena and scorched more than 21 square miles (54 square kilometres).

Employees at a senior centre pushed dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds to a parking lot to escape.

The Los Angeles Fire Department issued evacuation orders Thursday afternoon for a new blaze, Kenneth Fire, which broke out near West Hills, a neighbourhood densely packed with homes in the San Fernando Valley. It ballooned in size, charring more than one square mile (2.6 kilometres) within hours of igniting, and forced evacuations.

The Hurst Fire, which started Tuesday night, prompted evacuations in Sylmar.

And in the Hollywood Hills, the Sunset Fire broke out Wednesday evening and burned near the Hollywood Bowl and other iconic landmarks. Firefighters were able to manage the flames, and evacuation orders were lifted Thursday morning.

Altogether, the fires have consumed about 56 square miles (142 square kilometres) – larger than the size of San Francisco.

NATIONAL GUARD ARRIVES TO PROTECT PROPERTY

California National Guard troops arrived on the streets of Altadena before dawn Friday to help protect property in the fire evacuation zone. At least 20 arrests have been made for looting.

Officials promised looters who took advantage of the wildfire crisis will be prosecuted.

“This is simply unacceptable,” Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said. “I promise you, you will be held accountable.”

Officials said Friday that National Guardsman will be deployed to the Palisades Fire area to manage traffic.

THOUSANDS ORDERED TO EVACUATE

More than 150,000 people were under evacuation orders Friday, officials said.

The flames threatened highly populated and affluent neighbourhoods, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, home to California’s rich and famous. Hollywood stars including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods were among those forced to flee, and Moore later said she lost her home in Altadena.

BIDEN APPROVES ADDITIONAL FUNDING

President Joe Biden said during a White House briefing with staff Thursday that he was making federal resources available and approved additional funding to help California battle the fires.

The new funding will cover the cost for 180 days for hazardous materials removal, temporary shelters, first responder salaries and measures to protect life, he said.

Biden said he was not in a position to answer whether California would continue to receive federal funding to help combat the fires after President-elect Donald Trump takes office January 20. “I pray to God they will,” Biden said.