‘I lost everything:’ Fire crews battle ‘unprecedented’ blazes in Los Angeles | News about the climate crisis

Pause in strong winds fueling deadly forest fires in and around Los Angeles gave crews an opportunity to make progress in fighting the wildfires that have destroyed several areas in the United States’ second-largest city.

Five separate fires had burned more than 14,000 hectares (35,000 acres) by Friday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire.

Officials say the two largest fires — the Palisades and Eaton fires — are already considered the most destructive in Los Angeles history.

“We’re doing everything we can to get the situation under control and we’ve had success,” Mayor Karen Bass said at a news conference.

“We know we’re going to have a possible increase in wind strength early next week, and preparing Los Angeles — doing everything we can to save lives — that’s our number one task.”

As of Friday morning, the Palisades Fire in the coastal community of Pacific Palisades was 8 percent contained, while the Eaton Fire in the community of Altadena was 3 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

“It’s not that stormy, so hopefully that should help the firefighters,” National Weather Service meteorologist Allison Santorelli said of the forecast, adding that fire conditions remain critical with low moisture and dry vegetation.

But any easing of the wind pattern is expected to allow firefighters on the ground to get crucial support, with aircraft able to drop water and fire retardant on the burning hills. “There is good news, if there can be any,” Santorelli said.

Thousands of Los Angeles residents were forced to leave their homes after fast-moving fires broke out earlier this week.

At least 10 people were killed and more than 10,000 buildings destroyed all over the city, according to official data.

“The scope, scale and unpredictable movement of these fires is truly unprecedented,” US President Joe Biden told reporters Friday before a briefing with federal and state officials on the wildfires.

Amid fears of looting and crime, California Governor Gavin Newsom deployed the National Guard to bolster forces and soldiers on the streets. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna also imposed overnight curfews in some areas.

“This curfew will be strictly enforced and is being implemented to increase public safety, protect property and prevent any burglaries or robberies in the area that residents have evacuated,” Luna said.

About 20 people have been arrested in connection with the robbery so far, the sheriff’s department said.

Reporting from Pacific Palisades on Friday morning, Al Jazeera’s Rob Reynolds said air quality in the area remains extremely poor as the fires continue to rage.

“Ash and dust fall around us like light snow,” he said.

But Reynolds said the good news is that fire crews have been boosted with more personnel and supplies to help fight the flames amid improved wind conditions.

“The troops have arrived. “There are a lot more fire personnel on the ground right now,” he said.

Meanwhile, as the extent of the damage began to come into focus, residents grappled with the scenes of destruction.

In Pacific Palisades, brick chimneys towered over charred trash and burnt-out vehicles.

“I can’t describe it,” said Kelly Foster, a 44-year-old psychiatrist, as she combed the ashen rubble where her home once stood as smoke billowed from neighboring homes and planes dropped water nearby. “I have no words.”

Hester Callul, who made it to the shelter after fleeing her home in Altadena, also said her house had burned down. “I lost everything,” she told the AFP news agency.