- More than 12,000 houses in ruins after wildfires in southern California
- At least 25 dead and millions under vacation orders
- Strong winds causing fire to spread
More than 12,000 houses in ruins after wildfires in southern California
Southern California continues to grapple with the aftermath of devastating wildfires that have destroyed more than 12,000 buildings and claimed 25 lives. Harsh winds have fueled the fires, leaving millions of residents under evacuation orders and facing power outages.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged the ongoing challenges but urged the community to begin thinking about rebuilding.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering immediate assistance of up to $700 for evacuation needs. However, larger grants will only be available after insurance claims are processed.
The threat isn’t over yet, with fire warnings still in place across much of the region due to strong, fire-fueling winds. More than 77,000 households remain without electricity as utilities have cut power to prevent their lines from sparking new blazes.
Firefighters have made some progress, successfully battling two massive fires in the Los Angeles area and quickly extinguishing several smaller ones. This progress came after a brief reprieve from light winds.
The fires, which began on January 7, are expected to become some of the most expensive in U.S. history. The full extent of the destruction to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure is still being assessed, but the recovery process is anticipated to be long and challenging.