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California Governor Gavin Newsom called for an investigation Friday into Los Angeles County’s fire hydrant and other water failures as officials continued battling stubborn blazes eating up more than 35,000 acres and the death toll hit 11.
Some hydrants in the Palisades were unusable earlier this week and reservoir water was reportedly not available, impairing the effort to protect homes. Newsom has called on county officials to investigate the matter and compile a report.
“The ongoing reports of loss of water pressure to some local fire hydrants during the fires and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir are deeply troubling to me and to the community,” Newsom said in a letter addressed to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power CEO and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones and L.A. County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella.
Winds were set to calm between Friday and Saturday, although strong gusts were still reported. Winds are predicted to return Sunday and next week, with the death toll from the current fires expected to climb in the coming days, officials said.
Firefighters and residents have been injured in the life-threatening outbreak, which continued to force evacuation orders and warning for some 153,000 people.
There are six active large wildfires throughout Los Angeles County. The Palisades and Eaton fires are the most destructive in the state’s history. Both are less than 10 percent contained.
Officials gave an update on the Eaton Fire early Friday afternoon.
“It looks like a war zone. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Kathryn Barger, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, told reporters.
Lidia fire 98% contained, Newsom says
California governor Gavin Newsom said the Lidia fire in the community of Acton is 98 per cent contained across its 395 acres.
Cal Fire said the fire’s forward progress had been stopped.
This is an emergency. This isn’t about politics — it’s about making sure people are alive.
I want the President-elect to visit LA County to understand the magnitude of the devastation we’re experiencing right now and how we can be partners in recovery. pic.twitter.com/i1l3jGj322
— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 11, 2025
“I want the president-elect to visit LA County to understand the magnitude of the devastation we’re experiencing right now and how we can be partners in recovery,” Mr Newsom said.
Vishwam Sankaran11 January 2025 11:10
Firefighters continue to battle five large blazes. Here are the stats
Michelle Del Rey11 January 2025 11:00
LA suburb residents concerned aid will be channeled towards high-profile areas
Residents of Altadena, a racially and economically diverse suburb near Los Angeles, expressed concerns that government resources would be channelled towards high-profile areas like Malibu popular with Hollywood A-Listers.
The suburb’s residents, including Black and Latino families who have lived there for generations, also raised concerns that insurance companies might short-change less affluent households which may not have 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,” Kay Young, a 63-year-old resident of the suburb, told Reuters.
“You’re going to have some folks who are not going to get as much as they deserve, and some folks who may get more than actually they need,” Inez Moore, a lecturer at California State University whose family home was destroyed in the fires, said.
Vishwam Sankaran11 January 2025 10:23
Officials warn residents to beware of scams
Michelle Del Rey11 January 2025 10:00
‘Like a ton of bricks just fell on me’: What we know about victims of ‘most destructive’ fire in LA history
Michelle Del Rey11 January 2025 09:00
Michelle Del Rey11 January 2025 08:00
Evacuation warnings for the Hurst Fire in Sylmar and the Archer Fire in Granda Hills are lifted
Michelle Del Rey11 January 2025 07:00
California National Guard are out on Southern California streets
Michelle Del Rey11 January 2025 06:00
‘DO NOT DRINK’ notice issued to these communities
Michelle Del Rey11 January 2025 05:00
Los Angeles County declares local health emergency
The widespread presence of ash and particulate matter in the air following the California wildfires has caused local health officials to declare a local health emergency on Friday.
The announcement followed several days of heavy smoke and ash in the Los Angeles area, which is battling multiple fires at once.
“The fires, coupled with strong winds, have severely degraded air quality by releasing hazardous smoke and particulate matter, posing immediate and long-term risks to public health,” a news release from the county’s public health department states. “Additionally, the fires have caused widespread displacement of residents, prompted emergency evacuations from healthcare facilities, and disrupted vital health services and resources.”
Additionally, the department is restricting the use of power air blowers and leaf blowers.
Michelle Del Rey11 January 2025 04:40
