"We're facing a historic natural disaster. And I think that can't be stated strong enough," Kevin McGowan, the director of emergency management for Los Angeles county, told a press conference.
Officials anticipated that the death toll from what the county fire chief described as a "fire siege" would rise. Five people are already known to have died. More than 2,000 homes and buildings have been destroyed and more than 180,000 people have been evacuated.
Strong winds that have fanned the wildfires for the past two days were expected to ease slightly before strengthening into the weekend.
At least 20 people were arrested for looting or burglary, according to law enforcement officials, while the forecaster AccuWeather estimated damage and economic loss at more than $50bn (£40bn).
On Wednesday evening a new wildfire broke out in the Hollywood Hills, casting embers far and wide and drawing a massive response from firefighters who sought to prevent the flames from breaching the urban heart of the city.
The blaze brought the number of wildfires burning in Los Angeles county to at least five, and prompted Joe Biden to cancel a trip to Italy to focus on the federal response.
この記事は The Guardian の January 10, 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は The Guardian の January 10, 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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