Firefighters in Los Angeles continued to battle wildfires on Friday, marking the fourth consecutive day of intense efforts to control the flames that have claimed the lives of at least 10 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Authorities have warned that the death toll may rise as firefighters gain control over the blazes and can begin searching the charred remains of the affected areas.
Firefighting teams worked overnight into Friday morning, taking advantage of a brief lull in the winds to deploy water-dropping helicopters. The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden would meet with key officials on Friday to discuss the federal response to the devastating wildfires.
In a Thursday briefing, President Biden announced that additional federal resources and funding would be allocated to California, which he called "the worst fires to ever hit Los Angeles." The funding will cover 180 days of expenses for temporary shelters, hazardous materials removal, first responder salaries, and life-saving measures.
Vice President Kamala Harris, a former California senator, joined the briefing, describing the fires as "apocalyptic" and warning of their long-term impact on the state. Harris, whose home is in an evacuation zone, has not yet confirmed whether her property was damaged.
The fires have forced nearly 180,000 people to evacuate, burned tens of thousands of acres, and destroyed thousands of homes. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the situation "absolutely unprecedented" and "historic."
Fire Chief Kristin Crowley reported that calmer winds allowed firefighters to improve containment efforts and resume aerial operations. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is currently battling five major wildfires in the area: Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and Sunset, with Palisades and Eaton being the largest. A sixth fire, the Kenneth fire near Woodland Hills, was reported on Thursday.
As the region grapples with the fires, some individuals have taken advantage of the crisis by looting evacuated neighborhoods. At least 20 people have been arrested for theft in recent days. Los Angeles Supervisor Kathryn Barger condemned the actions, stating, "Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis."
The Palisades fire has been especially devastating, with more than 5,000 homes and structures lost. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that the combined evacuations across the affected fires now involve nearly 180,000 residents, with another 200,000 under evacuation orders.
Officials have described the ongoing firestorm as one of the most destructive natural disasters in Los Angeles' history.
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