California Governor Gavin Newsom on January 11 announced to double the number of National Guard members in the Los Angeles County area to support people and ensure security amid a serious forest fire. Dozens of people have been arrested for violating curfew, breaking in illegally and stealing items amid the wildfires in Los Angeles.
The Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles was devastated by the Palisades fire
Firefighters responded to the Palisades fire on January 11
According to the sheet The Guardianthe total number of deployed National Guard members increased to 1,680. In addition, state authorities have so far mobilized more than 12,000 personnel, including firefighters, national guardsmen, highway patrol police and transport teams to fight the fire.
More than 1,660 firefighting vehicles were mobilized, including more than 1,150 fire trucks, more than 60 airplanes, bulldozers and more than 100 tank trucks.
Smoke billows from the Palisades fire in the Encino area on January 11
Many other states and two US neighboring countries, Canada and Mexico, sent firefighters to Los Angeles to help put out the fire. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that Mexico is a generous and united country.
With support from the nation and America’s neighbors, California has begun to gradually control the devastating Los Angeles fires even though hot, dry weather and strong winds are helping the firestorm spread further.
Airplanes dropped fire retardants at Mandeville Canyon, Los Angeles on January 11
Of the five fires, two were 75-80% controlled. The largest fire, Palisades, is 11% contained while the second largest fire, Eaton, is 15% contained.
About 153,000 people in the area had to be evacuated, and 57,000 houses were at risk of fire. To date, about 50,000 customers have lost power.
The house in Mandeville Canyon was threatened by fire on January 11
The fires have killed at least 13 people and left 13 others missing, according to Reuters. The number may increase further when firefighters go to each house to check. More than 12,000 houses were burned down and the amount of damage and loss was estimated by one company at 150 billion USD.
