- Fires continue to plague Los Angeles County, as before and after satellite images illuminate the extent of the damage in leveled neighborhoods.
Five deadly wildfires persisted in Los Angeles County on Friday, and up-to-date satellite images revealed the widespread devastation.
The death toll has reached 10 people, with the fires engulfing more than 36,000 acres and counting. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Palisades and Eaton fires have damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 structures.
The Palisades Fire has scorched 20,438 acres in the city of Malibu and the Pacific Palisades neighborhood with 8% containment.
The Palisades fire damaged more than 5,000 buildings, including 600 in nearby Malibu, The Malibu Times reported.
The Altadena community was ravaged by the Eaton Fire, as the blaze reached 13,956 acres with only 3% of the fire under control.
In Altadena, 7,081 structures have been damaged or destroyed, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection estimated.
Total damage across the region has been estimated between $135 billion and $150 billion, according to AccuWeather, which said it could reach nearly 4% of the state’s GDP.
“These fast-moving, wind-driven infernos have created one of the costliest wildfire disasters in modern U.S. history,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said in a statement.
Close to 180,000 residents are under evacuation orders, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
Meanwhile, other fires in the area continue to burn but are coming under more control.
Kenneth and Hurst fires lifted their evacuation mandates yesterday as the fires burned roughly 1,000 and 770 acres, respectively. Both fires have near 40% containment.
Additionally, the Lidia Fire has burned 395 acres and is 75% contained, as firefighters, “make significant progress,” according to Cal Fire.
According to the National Weather Service, Los Angeles County will remain on a red flag warning until 6 p.m. this evening, while wind gusts up to 79 mph have been recorded in Los Angeles County. According to the NWS, another round of strong winds will develop Saturday carrying into Sunday.