Los Angeles Forest Fires Expand: Strong Winds And Lack Of Water Hamper Extinguishing Extinguishing Efforts

JAKARTA - A wild fire that raged surrounded Los Angeles, California on Wednesday, killing at least five people, destroying hundreds of houses, forcing more than 100,000 people ordered to flee, draining fire fighting resources and water supplies to the maximum limit.

Strong winds blocked fire fighting operations and exacerbated fires, which have burned unrestrictedly since starting on Tuesday.

Five separate fires broke out in Los Angeles County, all under control according to state officials, including a pair of major fires that caught the city in a pinch.

On the west side, the Palisades Fire scorched 15.832 hectares (6.406 hectares) and 1.000 buildings in the hills between Santa Monica andnis, shot down the Topangatury until it reached natural fire barriers in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday. The fire has become one of the most destructive fires in Los Angeles history.

To the east, at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, the Eaton Fire had burned an area of 10,600 hectares (4,289 hectares) and killed at least five people, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told KNX radio.

Meanwhile, companies providing AccuWeather forecast services expect initial damage and economic losses of more than $50 billion.

"We are facing a historic natural disaster. And I don't think it can be declared strong enough," Kevin McGowan, emergency management director for Los Angeles County, told a news conference.

The sky above Los Angeles is shining red in some areas and shrouded in thick smoke. Nearly 1 million homes and businesses have lost electricity in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us.

"The wind is blowing hard, the fire is rising as high as about 30 or 40 feet (9 to 12 meters), and you hear 'pop, pop, pop'. It sounds like a battlefield," said Kevin Williams, an Eaton Fire refugee, at an evacuation center in Pasadena, describing a gas cylinder at a neighbor's house starting to explode from the heat of the fire.

Three other fires in the area were also draining out fire fighting resources, with water shortages affecting Pacific Palisades, the high-end coastal enclave area where forest fires have spent 15,832 hectares (6,406 hectares) of land.

Over 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate communities impacted by the Southern California wildfires. At least two people have been killed. And many more are injured – including firefighters.

It’s devastating.

To the residents of Southern California: We are with you. pic.twitter.com/N0oValzP7l

— President Biden (@POTUS) January 8, 2025

Over 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate communities affected by the Southern California runaways. At least two people have been killed. And many more are injured including firefighters.

It's devastating.

To the residents of Southern California: We are with you. pic.twitter.com/N0oValzP7l

"There aren't enough firefighters in LA County to tackle four separate fires of this size," said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.

The demand for water also caused several hydrants to dry up in Pacific Palisades after the last large water tank of the three tanks in the area was empty, officials said.

"We are pushing this system to the extreme. We are extinguishing forest fires with urban water systems, and it is really challenging," Janisse Quinones, Los Angeles Water and Power chief executive, told a news conference.

Pacific Palisades relies on three tanks that house about one million gallons (3.78 million liters each), and water demand to extinguish fires in the lowlands makes refilling water tanks on the highlands difficult, he said.

Some hydrants dried up around 3 am. With winds and smoke limiting the ability to provide air support, firefighters did not have enough water to extinguish the fire.

Located in the hills with spectacular sea views, Pacific Palisades is one of the most expensive environments in the country with an average home price of US$3.7 million by the end of 2023, according to Zillow.

The area is also home to many film, television and music stars, including Jamie Lee Curtis,ctional Moore, and Mark Hamil, all of whom were forced to leave their homes.

The fire broke out at a very vulnerable time for Southern California, which has not experienced significant rainfall since its start of the year of water in October. Then came strong Santa Ana winds, bringing dry desert air from the east to coastal mountains, fanning the fires of forest fires while blowing over the top of the hill and descending the canyons.

Meanwhile, scientists say the fires, which erupted well beyond traditional forest fires season, are marking the latest extreme weather that is likely to rise further as global temperatures continue to rise in the coming decades.

Separately, President Joe Biden, who remains in Los Angeles after Air Force One was temporarily suspended due to strong winds on Tuesday, joined California Governor Gavin Newsom at Santa Monica's fire station for briefing on fire fighting efforts.

"The impact of (the fire) includes more than a thousand buildings that have been destroyed, more than one hundred thousand people have been evacuated, lives are lost, traditions, lifestyles, places are destroyed," said the Governor of Newsom.

President Biden promised whatever assistance he could provide in his final days in office before handing over his post to President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.

"We did everything and everything and as long as it took to contain this fire, to make sure you were back to normal," President Biden said.

"This is going to be a very long journey. It will take some time."

In a recent post on Twitter, President Biden has sent fire engines to water carriers to help extinguish fires.

"My team has provided 24-7 weather forecast support, delivered 5 Air Tankers and 10 fire helicopters, prepared dozens of fire engines, approved grants to reimburse the fire fighting costs, and I have approved a request by the Governor of Newsom for the Declaration of Large Disasters," he tweeted. X.