Strong winds forecast for Los Angeles threaten area’s fight against fires
Associated PressJAN 18
LA Fires: Death Toll Rises as Winds Bring Renewed Threat
Above: Firefighters battle winds and flames as Malibu beachside homes burn along Pacific Coast Highway in the Palisades Fire on Jan. 7, 2025. Image copyright: David Crane/Contributor/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images
The Facts
Three major wildfires in Los Angeles have collectively scorched over 38,600 acres, with the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, and the Hurst Fire all still burning.
The death toll has risen to at least 25 victims, with dozens still missing, as authorities continue searching through the wreckage of more than 12K destroyed structures, making this potentially the costliest fire disaster in American history with damage estimates reaching $275B.
Approximately 88K residents remain under mandatory evacuation orders, while an additional 84,800 people have been placed under evacuation warnings as dangerous Santa Ana winds, with gusts up to 75 mph (121 km/hr), threaten to intensify fire conditions through Wednesday.
The Spin
Narrative A
The devastating scope of these fires, combined with infrastructure failures such as empty hydrants and potential utility equipment malfunctions, demonstrates serious systemic vulnerabilities in Los Angeles's disaster preparedness and prevention measures. These are systemic issues that need to be urgently solved.
Narrative B
The city's emergency response has significantly improved with better preparation and resources, including international firefighting support and enhanced water supplies, making the region better equipped to handle the ongoing crisis than it was during the initial outbreak.