13.01.2025 22:40
The cost of the ongoing wildfires in the United States is increasing every day. According to recent estimates, the economic damage is projected to be between 250 billion and 275 billion dollars.
The wildfires sweeping across the United States continue despite all interventions. A wildfire in one of Los Angeles' luxury neighborhoods is ongoing in six separate areas, and it is reported that the fires have also spread to New York.
The toll of the fire is worsening by the hour. According to officials, 24 people have lost their lives so far.
THE TOLL IS HEAVY
The economic toll of the fire on the country is also worsening every day. AccuWeather, which announced its estimates of the total damage and economic loss caused by the ongoing fires in Los Angeles and its surroundings, updated its estimates regarding the economic cost of the fires.
According to this, the total damage and economic loss caused by the ongoing fires is estimated to be between 250 billion and 275 billion dollars.
THE INITIAL ESTIMATE WAS 57 BILLION DOLLARS
AccuWeather had initially predicted in its preliminary estimates shared last week that the cost of the fires could be between 52 billion and 57 billion dollars. This estimate was raised to a range of 135 billion to 150 billion dollars as the fires continued.
29 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED
On the other hand, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced that 29 people have been arrested, including a thief caught disguised as a firefighter. Sheriff Luna, speaking at a press conference, said, "We caught a suspect wearing a firefighter outfit looting burned houses in Malibu. He presented himself as an employee of a fire station, but that was a lie."
It has also been reported that wealthy residents in the area have contracted private security companies to protect their homes; private security officer Arturo Garcia stated, "We patrol 24 hours in Pacific Palisades. We prevented several looting attempts last week. We caught a suspect with luxury goods."
THE WEALTHY ARE HIRING PRIVATE FIREFIGHTERS
The hiring of private firefighting teams for $2,000 an hour by the wealthy has also become a topic of discussion. Local authorities emphasize that all resources must be used effectively and equitably in the fight against the fire, and there are calls for legal regulations to oversee private firefighting services.