16.01.2025 11:51
As the fires that started on January 7 in Los Angeles continue, it has been reported that at least 25 people have lost their lives. The latest images from the area reveal the extent of the disaster. Urban search and rescue teams searched for human remains along the Pacific Coast Highway, where homes have been destroyed.
On January 7th in Los Angeles, a forest fire that started in the Pacific Palisades area and quickly spread to surrounding regions, particularly Eaton, Hurst, Sunset, and Woodley, has resulted in the deaths of 25 people to date.
MORE THAN 12,000 STRUCTURES DAMAGED
Over 40,000 acres have been turned to ash, and more than 12,000 structures have been damaged or rendered unusable.
DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT $275 BILLION
The total damage and economic loss caused by the fires is estimated to be between $250 billion and $275 billion.
TEAMS SEARCHING FOR HUMAN REMAINS
Urban search and rescue personnel were seen clearing debris with rakes while searching for human remains along the Pacific Coast Highway, where homes were destroyed due to the fire.
FIRE RESPONSE FOUND INSUFFICIENT
Meanwhile, during the 10-day period, the response to the fires and the inadequacy of water reserves became the target of criticism from local residents and celebrities whose homes were burned. As firefighting efforts continued, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone's statements that "none of the 29 fire departments in Los Angeles County and the region were prepared for such a widespread disaster" brought the issue of water resources to the forefront.
"WE PUSHED THE SYSTEM TO ITS LIMITS"
In response, Janisse Quinones, the CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), stated that the water stored in tanks in Pacific Palisades, one of the most affected areas, had run out and that the tanks could not be refilled quickly. Quinones said, "There was a huge demand on the system in Palisades. We pushed the system to its limits. There was four times the normal demand for 15 hours, which reduced the water pressure."