USA Slow return to Los Angeles fire areas - 27 dead
The dangerous high winds in Southern California have subsided, but just over a week after the outbreak of the devastating fires, the death toll continues to rise.
17.01.2025, 06:13
SDA
According to the coroner's office in Los Angeles, at least 27 people died in the fires. The remains were found in the burn zones of the Palisades fire on the western edge of Los Angeles and the Eaton fire near Pasadena.
The good news: the "Eaton" fire was more than half contained on Thursday, while the "Palisades" fire was 22 percent under control. According to initial estimates, more than 12,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged in the region.
First returnees - but also new dangers
Previously closed areas with minor damage are now accessible again for some residents. The authorities have given the green light for the first returnees. However, it will take at least another week before larger evacuation zones are released, said fire chief Anthony Marrone on Thursday. Power and water supplies would have to be restored and rubble removed in the areas affected by the fire. The search for possible victims is also continuing.
Following the wildfires, which are destroying the ground vegetation, further dangers are looming. A house on a slope that had withstood the "Palisades" fire was caught in a landslide. The house broke apart under the pressure of debris and earth. According to the Los Angeles Times, Mark Pestrella from the Los Angeles County Building Department said that water from the fire may have softened the ground. He warned of possible landslides in the fire zones. Mudslides can cause serious damage, especially after rainfall.
Benefit concert with star cast
Prominent musicians including Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Katy Perry, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Sting, Jelly Roll, Green Day, Earth, Wind & Fire and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have signed up for a charity concert called "FireAid". Performances at two venues in Inglewood, south of Los Angeles, on January 30 will raise funds for those affected.
Bruce Willis thanks emergency services
Hollywood star Bruce Willis (69) thanked several police officers for their efforts. His wife Emma Heming Willis posted short videos and a photo of the encounter on Instagram. Bruce would never miss the chance to show his gratitude to a first responder with a handshake and a "thank you for your service", she wrote. The former action star is now rarely seen in public. In 2023, his family announced that Willis had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. The disease causes nerve cells in the brain to die.
