New Delhi:

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has likened the devastation caused by wildfires in the region to the aftermath of an atomic bomb. Mr Luna said on Thursday that it was as if an atomic bomb had been dropped in these areas.

Here are 10 takeaways from this big story: A fresh fire broke out in the West Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday evening, consuming more than 900 acres within hours. Firefighters are spread across Southern California as they battle multiple wildfires that have destroyed thousands of structures and forced mass evacuations. The Pacific Palisades fire has burned more than 19,000 acres, while the Altadena fire has destroyed 13,000 acres. Combined, these fires have displaced tens of thousands of residents. The California National Guard has been deployed to help contain the crisis. “We are doing everything in our power to protect communities in the days ahead – including our National Guard service members,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. It also issued a warning against looting, which has reportedly broken out in some evacuation areas. The hardest hit areas include Pacific Palisades and Altadena, where multi-million dollar homes were destroyed. Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins and Billy Crystal are among those affected. About 180,000 residents are under evacuation orders, and the death toll continues to rise. “This is an absolutely unprecedented, historic firestorm,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said. President Joe Biden has pledged federal resources to help California’s response to the most devastating wildfires in the state’s history. “This is the most widespread, destructive fire in California history,” Biden said during a White House briefing. The fire has fueled political conflict. President-elect Donald Trump took to his real social network to criticize Governor Newsom, calling him “Gavin Newscom” and accusing him of mismanagement. Trump’s claims included mismanagement of water and firefighting efforts. President Biden urged Americans to avoid politicizing the disaster. In the midst of President-elect Trump’s aggressive campaign to add Canada as the 51st state of the United States, Justin Trudeau, who recently decided to step down as prime minister, tackled the California fires. Offered help for . “Neighbours helping neighbours,” Mr Trudeau wrote on X and shared a video of Canadian firefighters busy in LA. Shelters have been overwhelmed by donations from generous locals, although authorities have begun diverting supplies elsewhere. The Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills, which broke out Wednesday night, prompted the evacuation of thousands before containment efforts allowed residents to return briefly Thursday. Firefighter teams are understaffed due to diversity issues. Experts note that two decades of drought, followed by two unusually wet years, has created an abundance of dry vegetation that now fuels these massive flames. A lack of heavy rainfall in Southern California over the past eight months has exacerbated the problem. Meteorologists have warned that conditions are “critical”, with strong winds and dry weather expected to persist.

(Translation of Tags) Los Angeles Fire



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