Tragic Los Angeles Wildfires: Five Dead, Thousands Evacuate; Elon Musk Offers Free Starlink Services
Los Angeles is grappling with one of the most destructive wildfire outbreaks in its history. At least five lives have been lost, and thousands have been forced to flee their homes as multiple wildfires rage across the city, causing extensive damage and threatening iconic landmarks.
Sunset Fire Engulfs Hollywood Hills
A new blaze, named the Sunset Fire, has erupted in the Hollywood Hills, perilously close to the iconic Hollywood sign. The fire, which has now expanded to 20 acres, is burning between Runyon Canyon and Wattles Park. The blaze poses a significant threat to other major landmarks, including the Dolby Theatre, home to the annual Oscar Awards ceremony, the Hollywood Bowl outdoor amphitheater, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Mandatory Evacuations and Widespread Impact
On Wednesday evening, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for parts of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Mulholland Drive, extending south to Hollywood Boulevard, an area known for its celebrity residences. The evacuation orders also encompass areas near the Palisades Fire west of Los Angeles, as well as the San Fernando Valley near the Hurst Fire. Parts of Santa Monica and Altadena have been evacuated due to the Eaton Fire.
Currently, six wildfires are active in Los Angeles and neighboring Ventura County, with most of them 0% contained. The Palisades Fire, which erupted on Tuesday, has been deemed the most destructive in Los Angeles’s history. Officials report that the Woodley Fire has decreased in size, but the situation remains dire.
Devastation and Displacement
Over 137,000 people have been evacuated, and approximately 17 million residents across Southern California are under smoke and dust advisories, expected to last until Thursday. Power outages have compounded the crisis, with more than 1.5 million customers without electricity. Ventura County has seen over half of its 334,000 customers lose power, while Los Angeles County reports over 957,000 outages.
In Pasadena, power issues have hindered efforts to combat the deadly Eaton wildfire. Firefighters across Los Angeles face water shortages, forcing them to draw water from swimming pools and ponds. The fires have also displaced numerous Hollywood celebrities Elon Musk, including Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Paris Hilton. High-profile residents like Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg have properties in the affected areas.
Elon Musk Steps In with Starlink Support
In a bid to aid the affected regions, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that SpaceX will provide free Starlink terminals to the impacted areas, starting Thursday morning. This initiative aims to restore communication and support recovery efforts.
State and Federal Responses
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, emphasizing the severity of the situation. “This is a highly dangerous windstorm creating extreme fire risk, and we’re already seeing the destructive impacts,” Newsom stated, referencing the rapidly growing Palisades Fire.
President-elect Donald Trump has criticized President Joe Biden and Governor Newsom for their handling of the wildfire crisis. In a series of posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump accused Biden of leaving inadequate resources, including a lack of water in fire hydrants and insufficient FEMA funds. He also criticized Newsom for prioritizing environmental concerns over human safety.
Biden, meanwhile, has canceled a planned trip to Italy and signed a federal disaster declaration to provide federal funding to affected individuals.
Mayor Karen Bass Defends Her Actions
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, facing criticism for her absence during the outbreak, defended her actions upon returning from a trip to Africa. “I was in constant communication with officials throughout the crisis,” she stated. Bass had traveled as part of a presidential delegation to Ghana but returned promptly to address the emergency.
The Mayor also faces scrutiny over budget cuts, with reports indicating that over $17 million was slashed from the fire department’s budget last year.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles wildfires have brought widespread destruction, claiming lives, displacing thousands, and endangering iconic landmarks. As firefighting efforts continue, the community rallies with support from local and federal agencies, as well as private initiatives like Elon Musk Starlink services. The full extent of the damage is still unfolding, and the city remains on high alert.
