Search Teams Continue to Search for Victims as Los Angeles Braces for Renewed Wildfire Danger
Search teams equipped with cadaver dogs have been fanning out across fire-ravaged areas of Los Angeles, continuing their grim task of locating victims of the devastating wildfires that have plagued the city for over a week. As of Monday, the death toll stood at 24, with over 90,000 people still displaced. The search efforts are expected to intensify as the fires continue to wreak havoc in parts of the city.
The latest update comes as the city faces renewed danger from powerful Santa Ana winds, which are expected to exacerbate the already volatile wildfire conditions. Forecasters have warned of “extremely critical fire weather conditions,” with winds gusting up to 75 miles per hour in some areas. These conditions are expected to persist until Wednesday and significantly raise the risk of new fires igniting.
“These extreme conditions will not only make it harder to fight ongoing fires but will also make new ignitions much more likely,” said the National Weather Service, stressing that the situation remains fragile.
While the firefighting efforts continue, some aspects of normal life have started to return to the city. Schools that had been closed due to the flames re-opened, and the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team was scheduled to play that evening. Still, with thousands of people displaced, many are struggling to make sense of the devastation, particularly parents trying to shield their children from the trauma.
The fires have led to significant damage, with over 12,000 structures, including homes, outbuildings, and vehicles, destroyed. The Palisades Fire, one of the major blazes, has consumed nearly 24,000 acres, with only 14% of it contained. Similarly, the Eaton Fire has spread over 14,000 acres, with about one-third of it contained.
As recovery efforts ramp up, US President Joe Biden has pledged federal support, estimating the costs of recovery to be in the tens of billions of dollars. “We’re going to need Congress to step up to provide the funding to get this done,” Biden said in a briefing.
The city has received support from across the nation and even internationally, with firefighting teams arriving from various US states and neighboring Mexico. Mexican firefighter Benigno Hernandez Cerino spoke about the solidarity, saying, “Our mission is to support our brothers and sisters in Los Angeles, and to do the best possible job to help them prevent fires.”
In addition to official efforts, several Hollywood entities and sports teams have made significant contributions. Major studios, including Netflix, Disney, and Amazon, have pledged eight-figure donations, while teams like the Lakers and Dodgers have donated $8 million toward wildfire relief efforts.
While authorities continue their investigation into the cause of the fires, residents and experts alike are looking for answers. Speculation about the cause has run rampant on social media, with videos showing various potential triggers, including hikers and power lines.
Although wildfires are a natural part of many ecosystems, experts note that urban sprawl and climate change, fueled by human activities, are intensifying the frequency and severity of these destructive blazes.
