Gov. Gavin Newsom said he wanted answers from officials over the loss of water supply and pressure. The fires have killed 11 people and forced tens of thousands from their homes. At least 18 people have been arrested on charges including identity theft and looting.
Latest Developments on the California Wildfires
As the threat of more fires looms over Los Angeles, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday that he has ordered an independent review to investigate why firefighters ran out of water in the early stages of the battle. Describing the situation as “deeply troubling,” the governor’s move comes as the devastating firestorms have claimed at least 11 lives. President Biden noted that “a lot of people are still unaccounted for.”
The largest fire, the Palisades fire, burning between Santa Monica and Malibu, was 8% contained as of Friday. Firefighters have managed to create containment lines around that portion of the perimeter to halt its spread. Meanwhile, to the east, containment of the Eaton fire near Altadena and Pasadena has reached just 3%. Both fires now rank among the five most destructive in California’s history.
The causes of the fires remain unclear, and investigators caution it may take months to reach definitive conclusions. However, power lines near the Eaton and Palisades fires were active when the blazes began on Tuesday, raising concerns among energy experts. Electrical equipment has been linked to wildfire outbreaks during high winds in California and other regions. Unfortunately, the dry, windy conditions that have fueled the fires are expected to persist.
Key Updates:
- Victims: Among those who lost their lives were a man in his 60s who lived in his childhood home and drove a bloodmobile; a retired aerospace engineer in his 80s who was also an active church deacon; and a retired pharmacy technician lovingly called “an angel” by her neighbors.
- Scale of Destruction: The fires have burned over 36,000 acres — an area larger than the footprint of San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Boston, or Miami. About 100,000 residents are under evacuation orders, and more than 330,000 electricity customers remain without power.
- False Alerts: Emergency officials in Los Angeles County acknowledged that erroneous evacuation alerts were sent to nearly 10 million residents — the county’s entire population. They attributed the issue to disruptions caused by the fires’ impact on cellphone towers, calling the incident a “serious breach of public trust.”
- Federal Response: President Biden assured that federal support would be available for rebuilding efforts. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell confirmed that the agency is well-prepared and adequately funded to assist displaced residents.
- Arrests: Authorities have arrested at least 18 individuals in connection with the Eaton and Palisades fires. Charges include looting, identity theft, narcotics possession, and possession of burglary tools. National Guard units have been deployed to secure evacuation zones, ensure public safety, and deter criminal activity. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass emphasized the city’s commitment to protecting residents and preventing exploitation of the crisis.
The situation remains dire, with firefighters continuing to battle challenging conditions to protect lives and property.
