California firefighters continue to battle the devastating fires in Los Angeles, world agencies reported, BTA reported.
According to NBC News, the number of victims is now 13, and another 13 people are missing. Eight are the victims of the “Eaton“ fire and 5 - of the “Palisades“ fire.
The fires began on Tuesday and yesterday spread to areas that had so far been spared and for which evacuation orders were also issued, the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse reported.
Entire sections of the second largest city in the US have been devastated. More than 12,000 buildings have been destroyed and over 15,000 hectares of vegetation have been burned. US President Joe Biden said that Los Angeles looks like it has been the scene of a bombing war, notes Agence France-Presse.
Despite the massive mobilization of firefighters, the progress of the fires has prompted authorities to issue an evacuation order on the eastern flank of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. According to the Federal Disaster Response Agency, winds that had weakened on Friday are expected to increase again.
The causes of the fires are still unknown, but criticism is being leveled at the city's preparedness to deal with such situations and the response of public authorities.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Christine Crowley complained about the persistent lack of personnel, resources and funding, which was interpreted as criticism directed at local authorities.
And the mayor of the metropolis, Karen Bass, downplayed the tension and assured that politicians, emergency services and law enforcement are working in sync.
Due to the risk of looting in the areas affected by the fires and evacuated, a curfew was imposed between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time, with the measure in effect for Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
The governor of California has requested a full independent review of the city's water supply and has described as deeply troubling the lack of water and low water pressure at fire hydrants at the beginning of the fires, which also contributed to their spread.
Four fires are still active, and the main one has burned more than 8,000 hectares in Malibu and Pacific Palisades. As of yesterday afternoon, it was 11 percent contained.
Another star was left homeless, and this is actor Mel Gibson, who lives in Malibu.
Firefighters fear that with the strengthening of the wind, the flames could now head towards the Getty Center and the University of California, the AP reports.
The battle with the fires is also underway in the Mandeville neighborhood, where Arnold Schwarzenegger has a mansion.
Californians are being urged to conserve water because some of the fire tanks have run dry.
According to initial estimates, the fires may be the most expensive ever recorded in the country. So far, estimates are for damages between 135 and 150 billion dollars.
The fight against the fires is being made more difficult by the “Santa Ana winds“, which are the strongest since 2011. This is a nightmare for firefighters.
The authorities of Los Angeles have also urged people not to go outside because of the air polluted by smoke from the fires. Those who must work outside should use masks.
California has had unusually wet weather for the past two years. As a result, vegetation has flourished. Eight months without rain followed, and this vegetation has withered and become “easy prey” for the flames.
The number of celebrities who lost their properties in the fires in Los Angeles is growing, summarizes „Vanity Fair“.
The „Palisades“ fire, which affected the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, destroyed the properties of Anthony Hopkins, James Woods, Milo Ventimiglia, Melissa Rivers, Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag, Eugene Levy, Sandra Lee, John Goodman, Anna Faris, Billy Crystal, Adam Brody, Miles Teller.
In Altadena, the fire damaged the properties of Mandy Moore and Cameron Mathison.
The Malibu fire left composer Diane Warren, Kedney Spelling, mother of actress Tori Spelling and widow of television producer Aaron Spelling, actress Rosie O'Donnell, Ricki Lake, Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé Knowles, Paris Hilton and Mel Gibson without their properties.
Fires have also destroyed the properties of Jeff Bridges and Jennifer Grey.
Celebrities are also joining efforts to help fight the fires and those affected by the fires., summarizes "Forbes".
Paris Hilton has launched an emergency fund to help the victims, summarizes „Forbes“. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis announced that she will give $ 1 million.
Studio „Disney“ promised 15 million for those affected. And the studio “Paramount“ - 1 million dollars. “Fox“ donated 1 million dollars. These amounts will be used through the Red Cross or other organizations assisting the victims.
Mark Zuckerberg is also donating a certain amount. The next head of NASA, Jared Isaacman, has also pledged to help with $1 million. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the company is also donating an amount, without specifying how much.
Prince Harry and his partner Meghan Markle have also made a monetary donation, donated clothes, baby supplies and other products and visited areas affected by one of the fires.
Kylie Jenner has also donated a certain amount of money.
Halle Berry and Sharon Stone have helped local stores, which will provide clothes and essential products for the victims.