LA Wildfire Grows Larger with Gusts, 'Out of Control'... At Least 5 Dead

Biden Declares Disaster Area... Also Cancels Visit to Italy

At least five people have died as large wildfires continue to break out across Los Angeles (LA), the largest city in the western United States. Starting along the coast, the fires have spread rapidly, driven by localized gusts known as the "Devil Winds," while multiple other wildfires have simultaneously erupted in various locations, pushing the situation beyond control. President Joe Biden canceled his trip to Italy to coordinate a federal government response.

AFP Yonhap News

According to local media including CNN on the 8th (local time), the death toll from the wildfires has risen to five. The wildfire that started in Pacific Palisades along the LA coast the previous morning spread quickly due to the localized "Santa Ana" winds. Additional wildfires broke out the previous night in Eaton and Hearst, California, followed by reports of fires in Woodley, Olivas, and Lydia on the same day. That evening, simultaneous wildfires erupted near Hollywood Hills, where the famous Hollywood Sign stands, and the fire was named the "Sunset Fire."

Christine Crowley, chief of the LA Fire Department, explained that the Palisades wildfire alone has burned over 15,800 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 buildings. This is the largest wildfire damage in LA's history. Approximately 1,800 firefighters are currently deployed in the area. The Eaton fire has consumed 10,600 acres, the Hearst fire 260 acres, and the Lydia fire 340 acres. CNN reported that the Woodley fire burned 30 acres and is now contained, stating, "(Excluding Woodley) there are currently six active wildfires in LA County. Firefighters are battling flames in a historic fire situation." According to CNN's own tally, evacuation orders have been issued for more than 150,000 people within LA County due to the wildfires.

The New York Times (NYT) also reported, "By that evening, five people had died due to the wildfires, over 25,000 acres had been destroyed, more than 100,000 people were under mandatory evacuation orders, and hundreds of thousands of households experienced power outages." The outlet highlighted the difficulty in firefighting efforts, noting that trees along roadsides were burning like giant torches, "fire hydrants used by firefighters were nearly dry, and helicopters dropping water from the air had to suspend operations due to the gusty winds."

Reuters Yonhap News

Especially as the flames remain difficult to control, there is concern that the death toll may rise further. Following Governor Gavin Newsom's declaration of a state of emergency, California has deployed more than 7,500 rescue and emergency personnel, including firefighters and the National Guard, and expanded emergency shelter operations, but these efforts are widely regarded as insufficient given the scale of the fires. Anthony Marron, chief of the LA County Fire Department, lamented the shortage of firefighting personnel and resources, saying, "We were prepared for one or two large wildfires, but not for four." However, the strong winds that initially hindered containment efforts have somewhat subsided, allowing helicopters and other firefighting resources that had been grounded to return to action.

President Joe Biden declared California a major disaster area on the same day and ordered federal recovery assistance. According to the White House, this measure will provide federal funds, temporary housing costs, low-interest loans for repairs and property loss compensation, and other program support to residents affected by the wildfires in LA County.

President Biden, who had been visiting LA for several days to attend the birth of his granddaughter, personally received briefings at the Santa Monica Fire Department in LA County. His planned visit to Italy starting on the 9th was canceled. The White House explained, "He will focus on leading a full federal response over the coming days." During the originally planned Italy trip, Biden was scheduled to meet Pope Francis and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marking his last overseas trip during his presidency.

Donald Trump, the president-elect set to be inaugurated on the 20th, described the wildfires in LA as a "true disaster" and blamed Governor Newsom, a leading Democratic presidential contender. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Newsom refused to issue a water restoration declaration to protect fish smelt over California residents, stating, "All of this is his fault." In subsequent posts, he added, "Up to this moment, 'Gavin Newscum' (a derogatory blend of Gavin Newsom and 'scum') and his LA team have not contained the fires at all," and "There is no water at the fire hydrants, and FEMA has no money. This is what Joe Biden left me."