Los Angeles Wildfires: Schools Closed, 24 Dead, 36,000 Acres Burned
A major wildfire in Los Angeles, the most populated county in America, has raised alarms about a deteriorating situation. In fact, the fire's spread has intensified due to the rising wind speeds.
Currently, the speed is 80 km/h. It is traveling at 100 km/h and may accelerate further in the next 12 hours. Firefighters from Mexico have arrived to assist the US in combating the fires. Schools are closed because of the fire.
In addition, numerous events scheduled to take place in the city have been called off. The fires, which began last week, have already resulted in 24 fatalities and have destroyed over 12,000 structures. A significant number of individuals are reported missing. The estimated damage caused by the fires has reached around Rs 11.6 lakh crore so far.
Six wildfires in Los Angeles County are still burning, leaving nearly 36,000 acres to ashes. The fire has so far burned more than 21,300 acres of land in the Palisades area and damaged more than 5,300 buildings. In the eastern part of Los Angeles, schools and homes have been affected by fires in Eaton Canyon and Highland Park. Parts of two elementary schools and Palisades Charter High School are reported to be damaged.
The Eaton fires have destroyed nearly 14,000 acres of land and caused heavy damage to more than 5,000 buildings. Meanwhile, the entertainment industry has been hit hard by fires, power cuts, and toxic air. Because of this, many film and TV shoots have been canceled. Along with this, many premieres and programs have also had to be canceled. The fire also threatened Interstate Highway 405, a main traffic thoroughfare through the area.
Actress Preity Zinta stated that she and her family are safe despite the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. She expressed her sorrow over the destruction she witnessed around her.
She shared an update on the X and wrote, "I never thought I would live to see a day where fires would ravage neighbourhoods around us in La, friends & families either evacuated or put on high alert, ash descending from smoggy skies like snow & fear & uncertainty about what will happen if the wind does not calm down with toddlers and grandparents with us. I’m heartbroken at the devastation around us & grateful to god that we are safe as of now. My thoughts & prayers to people who are displaced & have lost everything in these fires. Hope the wind dies down soon & the fires are contained. A big thank you to the fire department, fire fighters & everyone else helping to save lives & property. Stay safe everyone"