City residents returned Los Angeles Americans returned to their homes after being evacuated due to the devastating forest fires that swept through the city, only to find that what remained of their homes were nothing but rubble and debris. Authorities said that the fires, considered one of the worst natural disasters in California’s history, claimed the lives of at least 11 people and caused total or partial damage to more than 10,000 buildings.
Survivors described the scene as “like the end of the world,” as entire neighborhoods were reduced to ashes, leaving residents in a state of grief and shock. “This is unimaginable. Everything around us is destroyed,” Oren Waters, a survivor, told Agence France-Presse.
Aerial photographs of areas such as Pacific Palisades and Altadena showed homes burned to the ground, making the scene resemble a war zone. Some survivors expressed gratitude for their survival, while others wept for the loss of their homes and memories.
“Everything around us turned to ash,” said Rick McGaig, who lost his home in the Palisades neighborhood. “The only thing left is a statue of the Virgin Mary, which is a blessing in this difficult time.” He added: “We feel very sad, but we are grateful to be there for each other.”
McGaig first noticed the fire last Tuesday, when he was walking his dog near the park, and saw white clouds that later turned out to be smoke. He ran to his home, packed what he could into his car, and then fled with his wife. Later that day, the couple watched the fire expand via a surveillance camera in their home.
Callen Astor, whose mother’s house survived the devastating wildfires that swept Los Angeles, also expressed her shock at the extent of the devastation that befell the state, and said, “California is burning. We need greater support to confront these disasters,” indicating that the challenges facing the state require… Stronger response from authorities and society.
Strong winds, reaching speeds of 160 kilometers per hour, helped the fire spread rapidly, making firefighting efforts very difficult. Although wind strength decreased on Friday, there were still 5 major fires out of control.
Disaster areas
In turn, the US President stated: Joe Biden The scene in the city is “like a war zone,” calling for immediate support to the affected areas. For his part, California Governor Gavin Newsom said that the state needs a “full independent review” of its disaster response, noting that a lack of resources and supplies has hampered firefighting efforts.
Looting in the affected areas raised additional fears, prompting the authorities to impose a curfew in some neighborhoods. Nicholas Norman, one of the residents who formed patrols to protect their property, said: “I did not save my house for a lunatic to come and loot it. This is unacceptable.”
The fires also disrupted daily life in Los Angeles, where cultural and sporting events, including basketball matches and awards ceremonies, were postponed. Some roads were closed and flights were postponed due to the thick smoke that covered the sky.
This year’s fires are the most destructive in history caAt a cost estimated at between 135 and 150 billion dollars. Climate experts say that climate change plays a major role in increasing the frequency and severity of these natural disasters.
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