Wildfires in California’s Los Angeles County have claimed five lives and destroyed 1,500 structures, including multimillion-dollar homes. High winds fueled the flames, spreading across 17,234 acres in Pacific Palisades and affecting other areas such as Altadena and the Hollywood Hills.
Over 100,000 residents, including celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis and Mandy Moore, were evacuated. Fire Chief Anthony Marrone acknowledged limited resources, stating, “We do not have enough firefighting personnel to handle these fires.”
President-elect Donald Trump criticized Governor Gavin Newsom for the disaster, while President Joe Biden canceled a planned visit to Italy amid the crisis. The estimated damage is expected to exceed $50 billion.