Los Angeles, United States:

People forced to flee their homes by massive wildfires in Los Angeles took turns patrolling their streets Thursday to ward off looters.

At least 20 people have been arrested as a result of the massive fire that destroyed entire neighborhoods, officials said.

Police warned that officers are flooding affected areas and will challenge anyone who they think should not be there.

With such a large area burned by the fire, which is destroying well-to-do Pacific Palisades and another area around Altadena, evacuees fear not enough is being done.

Some are taking matters into their own hands.

A man whose house was one of a handful of left-wing stands on the burned-out Altadena street told AFP that he was with his neighbors. is working

The man, who did not want to be named, said, “We are so stressed about the looting going on all around that last night my neighbors were keeping an eye on several houses in the neighborhood.”

“I’m going to take over for them tonight.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said his officers are pushing into fire-ravaged areas and evacuation zones to try to deter trespassers.

“We are continuing to patrol, maintain strict road closures, provide security in evacuation zones to deter anyone who may be criminally… Be willing to engage in behavior like looting,” he told a press conference on Thursday.

He said the bar for arresting people in the evacuation zone was low, and warned that his officers would be stretched.

“When we have an evacuation order by law, if you live in that area, you are guilty of a misdemeanor. If you commit certain crimes, it can go up to a felony,” he said. .

“If you’re in one of those areas and you don’t belong there, you’re going to be arrested.”

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the sheriff’s department will deal strongly with anyone turned in to his office.

“If you want to go ahead and loot, if you want to steal, if you want to engage in grand larceny… you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted, and you will will be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.

Hochman said no one should think that taking property from the evacuation zone was a small matter.

“This is a big deal. These actions are despicable, and we will prosecute them with the maximum possible punishment.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

A forest fire broke out in Los Angeles



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