Devastating wildfires in California: 10 dead, thousands of homes destroyed
Illustrative photo: California fires destroy thousands of homes, death toll rises (Getty Images)
Wildfires in Los Angeles, California, destroy thousands of homes, while the death toll rises to 10, reports Reuters.
Five wildfires have been burning for the third consecutive night, fueled by dry desert winds.
The Palisades fire, located between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city's western flank, and the Eaton fire near Pasadena in the east, are considered the most destructive in Los Angeles' history. The fires have engulfed more than 13,750 hectares.
According to official reports, 10 fatalities have been confirmed so far. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said that the death toll could rise.
“It looks like an atomic bomb dropped in these areas,” Luna added.
Private meteorological company AccuWeather estimates economic losses to reach as high as $150 billion.
"We're already looking ahead to aggressively rebuild the city of Los Angeles," said Mayor Karen Bass.
Wildfires in California
A massive wildfire broke out in Los Angeles recently, exacerbated by strong winds and dry weather. On January 8, a state of emergency was declared in California. The fires also ravaged a popular elite neighborhood, popular among Hollywood stars.
US President Joe Biden was forced to cancel a visit to Italy due to the large-scale wildfires.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his support for the United States.
