As of this morning (January 9, US time), there have been 5 major fires in Los Angeles, California. The first and most serious fire was the one that broke out in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood - where the Hollywood Valley of the US is located.

The widespread fire has destroyed more than 6,000 hectares of forest, burning down more than 1,000 structures. More than 450,000 households and businesses have lost power while more than 150,000 people have been ordered to evacuate. The fires have also killed at least 5 people. The death toll may increase as many people are seriously injured.

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Wildfire in California, US. Photo: Reuters
More than 1,400 firefighters have been mobilized to extinguish the fires. However, strong winds have hampered rescue operations, including the deployment of helicopters to fight the flames from the air. US President-elect Donald Trump called the deadly wildfires in California a real tragedy in a statement.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the wildfire situation unprecedented in a statement: “I know the world is seeing images of the devastation in our city. I have seen the front lines of the Palisades Fire and it is horrifying. Many people have been ordered to evacuate. If you are ordered to leave, please leave immediately. I spoke to President Biden today and California Governor Gavin Newsom earlier today and they assured me that the full support of the state is available.”

According to information from the White House, US President Joe Biden will make his final trip of his term to Italy this week. However, the plan was canceled and Mr. Biden will stay in the US to coordinate federal efforts to control the fires and support those affected. US President Joe Biden has previously signed a state of emergency declaration and requested authorities to send aid to help extinguish the fires.

Sharing the damage caused by the wildfires in the US, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today called US President Joe Biden to express sympathy and support for the American people affected by the wildfires.

The estimated economic damage caused by the fires this time in California ranges from 52 to 57 billion USD, including direct and indirect impacts caused by the disaster. If the fires continue to spread to densely populated areas, the total economic damage will be even higher than the current estimate.

Although wildfires are nothing new to California, three factors have contributed to one of the largest wildfire outbreaks in the state's history, according to experts. They are strong winds, drought, and most importantly, the climate crisis. These are factors that make fires more common and more destructive.

John Dumas, a scientist at the US National Weather Service, said: "The evolution of wildfires in the US is an event due to climate change, which has increased heat and drought, making wildfires more intense. We can also see almost no rain this winter. This is a clear sign of that."

Climate change caused by burning fossil fuels is increasing the risk of wildfires in the state by about 25%. In the past two decades, there have been 10 of the largest fires in California. Two years ago, California also faced a decades-long drought. It is part of a “megadrought” across the United States that researchers estimate is the worst in at least 1,200 years.