What we know about how LA wildfires started as neighbourhoods destroyed with 180,000 evacuated and 10 dead
At least five fires are currently burning in Los Angeles where officials warn more high winds could further fan the flames that have been causing total devastation this past week.
At least 10 people have been killed by the wildfires with 180,000 evacuated as neighbourhoods are destroyed.
As firefighters and responders work tirelessly to contain them, here is what we know about how the out-of-control LA wildfires started.
How did the LA fires start?
The Palisades fire was the first to erupt on Tuesday (7 January) before the Eaton, Hurst, Lidia and Kenneth fires began. The earlier Sunset, Woodley and Olivas fires have now been contained.
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Strong winds and a lack of rain are driving the blazes which are desperately being tackled to contain. With these powerful gusts blowing inland, they create these conditions where humidity drops. So, if a fire starts up the winds can fan it into an inferno within minutes.
Southern California’s fire season generally stretches from May to October but state governor Gavin Newsom has said: “There's no fire season, it's fire year."
Experts say climate change is altering the background conditions in the area and increasing the likelihood of these wildfires.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: “Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States.”
California is particularly vulnerable after having a very warm summer and a very dry period over recent months.
Local fire chief David Acuna told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme there isn’t ‘any conclusive evidence’ the fires were lit on purpose as he added: “Now that the life safety is primarily taken care of, and that we have sufficient resources to assist with that, now they're able to start digging into the investigation and see what they can discover."
Arrests made
North of the Palisades fire, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) believe the Kenneth fire was started intentionally as an arrest has been made.
Minutes after the fast-spreading blaze broke out yesterday, citizens reportedly restrained a man for allegedly attempting to start a fire in Woodland Hills.
Sean Dinse of the LAPD’s Topanga Division told KTLA 5 he was later detained by police in relation to the fire. A local claimed the suspect was armed with a ‘propane tank or a flamethrower’.
According to police there have also been 20 arrests as National Guard troops have been deployed to stop looting in evacuated areas.
Devastating impact of the LA fires
Across the county, nearly 180,000 residents have had evacuation orders as hundreds of buildings have burned down.
Major celebrities like Paris Hilton are amongst those who have had homes devastated by the wildfires. Ten people are currently confirmed dead but it is expected that the death toll will rise.
Another 200,000 residents are under an evacuation warning which means they may be required to soon leave their homes.
The fires are said to be the most destructive in LA history with over 10,000 buildings affected and 60,000 at risk.
What is being done to combat the fires?
Los Angeles Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley told press during a recent briefing: “We are not out of danger. You can see the active fires that are burning with strong winds that are going to continue throughout the night.
"I can tell you and assure you that firefighters and first responders remain focused on protecting lives and property. We urge the public to help us."
Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the fires. Palisades was six percent contained last night, Eaton is zero percent contained, Hurst is beginning to be contained, Lidia is 60 percent contained and the newest fire, Kenneth so far covers nearly 1,000 acres.
A fire weather outlook for southern California has been brought down from ‘extremely critical’ to ‘critical’ but there is said to be no rain forecast for at least a week.
Jess Battison