Fueled by powerful winds and dry conditions, a series of ferocious wildfires erupted last week and roared across the Los Angeles area.
We have over 100 fire apparatus out of service,” Los Angeles fire chief Kristin Crowley admitted when the wildfires were still at their peak.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said Tuesday that “life-threatening and destructive and widespread winds” are in the region, which could fuel the growth of new or existing wildfires in Los Angeles County and Ventura County.
About 1,600 policies for Pacific Palisades homeowners were dropped by State Farm in July, the state insurance office says.
The Los Angeles Fire Department estimates that about 10,000 structures have been burned down or damaged in the city's fires. That includes houses, sheds, garages and cars. Celebrities who lost their homes in the fire included model and actor Paris Hilton, actor Billy Crystal, and actor Miles Teller. The death toll rose to 24 on Monday.
According to Azusa police, a man who has admitted to setting a fire at a park has been arrested as the investigation continues.
Palisades Fire initially started 10:30 a.m. Jan. 7 in Los Angeles County. It has burned 23,713 acres after being active for nine days. A crew of 4,471 firefighters has been working on site and they managed to contain 27% of the fire by Thursday evening. The blaze's cause remains under investigation.
A Los Angeles home that survived the Palisades Fire was damaged by a landslide. The risk of landslides rises after wildfires, so more are expected in California.
California has deployed firefighters from Mexico as well as nearly 1,000 prison inmates to help combat deadly wildfires that have exploded across Los Angeles since last week.
A group of Pacific Palisades residents and businesses impacted by the Palisades Fire has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against the city's Department of Water and Power.
The LAFD said the footage shows its team putting out a fire using canvas bags, which are part of the department's standard equipment, not handbags.