New Delhi: The Los Angeles wildfire, which has been raging from earlier this week, is among the costliest natural disasters the USA has ever faced, Bloomberg reported citing a preliminary assessment.
The fires, fuelled by very strong winds, have caused havoc in the Pacific Palisades, an affluent residential neighbourhood tucked between Santa Monica Mountains and Pacific Ocean where Hollywood A-listers and other celebrities reside.
The blazes have affected areas with a median home value over $2 million, according to AccuWeather Inc. As of now, the damage and economic losses are expected to be between $52 billion and $57 billion.
Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the most expensive natural disaster in US history, coat the country around $200 billion, based on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
At least five people have been killed, more than 1,000 structures destroyed and 100,000 people evacuated thus far, officials said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for the Pacific Palisades after the massive wildfire gutted over 2,900 acres.
Social media was flooded with pictures and videos of the raging fires.
Heavenly Father, we lift up the families impacted by the fires in Los Angeles. Comfort those who have lost homes and loved ones, bring healing to the injured, and strengthen first responders. Provide peace, protection, and provision for every need. May Your presence bring hope… pic.twitter.com/ivXiN8wr5O
— American Citizen 🇺🇸 (@realtalkstruth) January 8, 2025
Elon Musk posted a video which was recorded by his friend in Los Angeles.
A friend in LA just took this video pic.twitter.com/WJBWCHmCUs
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2025
President Joe Biden, who is monitoring the situation closely, cancelled his final overseas trip as US President – Donald Trump will begin his second term in White House on January 20 — just hours before he was set to leave for Rome and the Vatican.
Oscar winner & other Hollywood celebrities in distress
Among Hollywood stars to have been affected is Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis.
“Our beloved neighbourhood is gone. Our home is safe. So many others have lost everything,” wrote the actor-producer on Instagram after being forced to evacuate.
Singer and ‘This Is Us’ actress Mandy Moore informed followers on Instagram that she had fled with her children and pets from the path of a blaze that left her Altadena neighbourhood ‘levelled.’
“My sweet home. I am devastated and gutted for those of us who’ve lost so much. I’m absolutely numb,” she wrote and shared footage of the destruction.
Emmy-winning actor James Woods posted a video on X showing flames that engulfed trees and bushes near his Pacific Palisades home as he prepared to evacuate.
“I couldn’t believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one,” Woods wrote.
‘Star Wars’ actor Mark Hamill shared on Instagram that he fled his Malibu home with his wife and pet dog, escaping down a road flanked by active fires.
Health & other concerns
Besides property destruction and loss of life, the Los Angeles wildfires will have long-term health effects from the toxic smoke and may significantly harm the region’s tourism industry.
“This is already one of the worst wildfires in California history. Should a large number of additional structures be burned in the coming days, it may become the worst wildfire in modern California history based on the number of structures burned and economic loss,” said AccuWeather’s chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter.
Water supply in the also took a hit as hydrants dried up. So much so that Los Angeles Department of Water and Power chief executive Janisse Quinones urged people to save water as much as possible.
