USA Two dead in fires in the Los Angeles region
The devastating forest fires in the region of the US metropolis of Los Angeles in California have claimed two lives. According to fire protection authority Cal Fire, four fires spread over at least 23 square kilometers on Wednesday morning (local time).
08.01.2025, 14:40
08.01.2025, 23:01
SDA
All of the fires were still completely out of control. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone confirmed two deaths, but said the exact cause of death was still under investigation. US President Joe Biden sent the National Guard to the fire areas.
More than 70,000 people, including many celebrities, were urged to leave their homes. Heavy winds with speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour fanned the fires further and further, making firefighting efforts more difficult.
Firefighting from the air was very difficult, the authorities said. Several people, including a female firefighter, suffered burn injuries, as reported by US broadcaster ABC. There were a "large number" of injured residents who did not leave their homes in time, Marrone told the media.
In an initial estimate, the major US bank JP Morgan is assuming an insurance loss of up to ten billion dollars.
The largest fire in the area surrounding the Pacific Palisades district now covers an area of almost twelve square kilometers, according to the Californian authorities. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed there. This part of Los Angeles borders the Santa Monica beach district.
On Tuesday evening (local time), the "Eaton Fire" broke out, a second fire in the vicinity of the nearby city of Pasadena, which spread to an area of around nine square kilometers within a few hours.
