Los Angeles firefighters see progress in containing blazes

Los Angeles, Jan 10 (Reuters) – Firefighters reported some progress fighting the wildfires that have charred hillsides, homes and streets in Los Angeles County, but the strong winds that fanned the flames were expected to pick up again on Friday, worsening conditions.

The fires, engulfing iconic Los Angeles neighbourhoods and tearing through the Hollywood Hills, have so far killed 10 people and destroyed nearly 10,000 structures.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said late on Thursday he expected the death toll to grow.

“It looks like an atomic bomb dropped in these areas. I don’t expect good news, and we’re not looking forward to those numbers,” Luna told a press conference.

Some Pacific Palisades residents ventured back to areas where a wall of fire had already swept through. Brick chimneys loomed over charred waste and burnt-out vehicles.

“We are alive. That’s all that matters,” private security guard Bilal Tukhi said while standing watch outside his employer’s damaged home, saying the scene reminded him of his native, war-torn Afghanistan.

As of early Friday, five fires were still burning.

The Palisades Fire between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city’s western flank and the Eaton Fire in the east near Pasadena already rank as the most destructive in Los Angeles history.

They have consumed more than 34,000 acres (13,750 hectares) – or some 53 square miles – and turned entire neighborhoods to ash.

The Palisades Fire is now 6% controlled, while the Eaton Fire still blazed out of control, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The skies buzzed with aircraft dropping water and fire retardant on the flaming hills.

KENNETH FIRE 35% CONTROLLED

One rapidly growing blaze that broke out on Thursday near Calabasas, one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S. and home to numerous celebrities and gated communities, was 35% under control by early Friday, fire officials said.

The so-called Kenneth Fire had expanded to 960 acres (388 hectares) in a matter of hours. The Hurst Fire was 37% contained, while the Lidia Fire, the smallest of the five, was 75% contained.

Winds dropped on Thursday from the gusts of up to 100 miles per hour (160 kph) seen earlier in the week, allowing crucial support from the air for firefighters on the ground.

But officials said winds intensified again overnight, and red flag conditions were expected until Friday afternoon.

President Joe Biden, who declared a major disaster on Tuesday, promised on Thursday that the federal government would reimburse 100% of the recovery for the next 180 days to pay for debris and hazard material removal, temporary shelters and first responder salaries.

“I told the governor, local officials, spare no expense to do what they need to do and contain these fires,” Biden said after meeting with senior advisers at the White House.

Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic loss at $135 billion to $150 billion, portending an arduous recovery and soaring homeowners’ insurance costs.

The homes of movie stars and celebrities were among those consumed by flames.

Reality TV star Paris Hilton shared video of her charred beachfront home in Malibu after watching it burn down on live TV. Images showed piles of charred debris and twisted metal with waves lapping the beach in the background.

Officials said the Eaton Fire had damaged or destroyed 4,000 to 5,000 structures while the Palisades Fire destroyed or damaged another 5,300 structures.

In Altadena, a racially and economically diverse community nearby, many residents told Reuters they were concerned government resources would be channeled toward wealthier areas and they worried that insurance companies might shortchange less affluent households who lacked the means to contest fire claims.

“They’re not going to give you the value of your house … if they do you really have to fight for it,” said Kay Young, 63. She tearfully looked over smoking rubble, the remnants of a home that she said had been in her family for generations.

HOLLYWOOD FIRE CONTAINED

Firefighting crews managed to fully control the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills, after flames had raged atop the ridge overlooking Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame on Wednesday night.

Officials said they were working to establish curfews for areas affected by mandatory evacuation orders to prevent looting.

The LA County Sheriff’s Department said it had requested the support of the California National Guard to help local law enforcement with traffic control and to protect critical infrastructure.

It said 20 people had been arrested for looting.