By Jorge Garcia and Rollo Ross
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Two massive wildfires threatening Los Angeles from east and west engulfed nearly 10,000 homes and other structures, burning for a third night on Thursday, even as fierce winds eased and gave firefighters a welcome but temporary respite.
The Palisades Fire between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city’s western flank and Eaton (NYSE:) The wildfire to the east near Pasadena is already considered the most destructive in Los Angeles history, consuming 34,000 acres (13,750 hectares) — or about 53 square miles — turning entire neighborhoods to ash.
Officials from three different jurisdictions reported a total of seven dead, although Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference that he did not want to say the exact number until human remains teams were sure they were conducting house-to-house searches.
But based on the widespread devastation, he expected the number to rise.
“It looks like an atomic bomb fell on these areas. I don’t expect good news and we’re not looking forward to those numbers,” said Luna.
He previously reported that the Eaton fire alone damaged or destroyed 4,000 to 5,000 structures. Officials said the Palisades fire destroyed another 5,300 structures.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic loss at $135 billion to $150 billion, hinting at a laborious recovery and a spike in homeowners’ insurance costs.
“We are already looking ahead to aggressively rebuild the city of Los Angeles,” said Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat who has faced criticism from President-elect Donald Trump and other Republicans for her handling of the disaster.
President Joe Biden, who declared a major disaster on Tuesday, pledged Thursday that the federal government would match 100% of the recovery over the next 180 days to pay for debris and hazardous material removal, temporary shelters and salaries for first responders.
“I told the governor, the local officials, spare no money to do what they need to do and contain these fires,” Biden said after a meeting with senior White House advisers.
A total of five wildfires were burning in Los Angeles County, and the sky was buzzing with planes dropping retardant and water on the burning hills.
A fast-growing fire broke out Thursday near Calabasas, one of the wealthiest cities in the US and home to many celebrities and gated communities. The so-called Kenneth Fire spread to 960 acres (388 hectares) in a matter of hours.
On edge, Los Angeles County mistakenly sent an evacuation notice to the entire county’s population of 9.6 million, even though it was intended only for the Kenneth Fire area, officials said. The correction was sent quickly.
‘WE ARE ALIVE’
Some Pacific Palisades residents ventured back to areas already affected by the fire, where brick chimneys towered over charred debris and burned vehicles.
“We’re alive. That’s the only thing that matters,” said private security guard Bilal Tukhi as he stood guard outside his employer’s damaged house, saying the scene reminded him of his native, war-torn Afghanistan.
School was canceled for a second day Friday because of smoke, ash and particulate matter polluting the air, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said.
Eaton Fire’s growth has stalled significantly, Marrone said, although it remains capped at 0%. Although still strong, winds have eased from the 100 mph (160 km/h) gusts seen earlier this week, allowing crucial air support for crews on the ground.
But officials warned that winds were forecast to pick up again overnight, with red flag conditions expected by Friday afternoon.
The Eaton Fire has reached the Mount Wilson Observatory, the site where a century ago Edwin Hubble discovered the existence of galaxies beyond the Milky Way and that the universe is expanding.
“We are relieved to report that the outbreak of the Eaton fire near the Observatory is now under control,” the observatory said in a statement.
The two largest fires – the Palisades and Eaton fires – formed pincers around the city so huge they were visible from space.
In Pacific Palisades, an upscale and picturesque enclave home to many celebrities, once opulent homes stood in ruins, while downed power lines and abandoned cars littered the roads. The smell of heavy smoke filled the air, and masked residents rode bicycles, hoping to catch a glimpse of their damaged homes.
Aerial footage showed block after block of flattened homes, while satellite images showed the two largest fires in pincers around the city and thick plumes of smoke from the fires billowing over the Pacific Ocean.
HOLLYWOOD FIRE CONTAINED
Fire crews were able to fully contain the Sunset Fire that forced mandatory evacuations in Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills after flames raged atop a ridge overlooking the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame Wednesday night and fleeing residents created a traffic jam.
Homes of movie stars and celebrities were among those engulfed in flames.
Chef Jose Andres, a Spaniard known for providing free food to disaster victims around the world, set up a food truck near the Palisades Fire on the Pacific Coast Highway.
“In these moments, everyone needs support and love, whether rich or not, poor or not,” he said.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis said Thursday that her family will donate $1 million to help.
Firefighters from six other US states and Canada were rushed to California, along with US federal personnel and equipment.
“To our American neighbors: Canada is here to help,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose country has experienced its own severe wildfires.
